FOOTBALL LEGENDS PUYOL AND FIGO JOIN LAUREUS WORLD SPORTS ACADEMY TO SPREAD ‘SPORT FOR GOOD’ MESSAGE

Thu, Dec 10, 2015 17:48 CET

Global football stars Carles Puyol and Luis Figo inducted into Laureus World Sports Academy
‘Carles and Luis are two great additions to our team, I know they are looking forward to supporting the work of Laureus’ – says Laureus Chairman Edwin Moses
Exclusive images of Carles and Luis at www.laureusarchive.com

MADRID, December 10, 2015 – Global football legends Carles Puyol and Luis Figo have today been announced as the newest members of the Laureus World Sports Academy. In their new roles, the two stars will volunteer their time to engage with the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which uses sport as the means to combat some of the toughest social challenges facing young people today.

Carles and Luis got straight to work, visiting Laureus-supported ‘Young Athletes’ project, based in Madrid. The project, which has been developed in partnership with Special Olympics Spain and Laureus since 2008, focuses on instilling hope and developing young people with disabilities.

Laureus Academy Member Carles Puyol, who won three Champions League trophies with Barcelona and achieved European Championship and World Cup glory with Spain, reflected on his visit:

“Sport has given me so much throughout my life and being here today with the kids from ‘Young Athletes’ really shows the power sport can have to give young people hope. It’s an honour to join the Laureus World Sports Academy to work with legends from around the world, spreading the message that sport can do good.”

"Having already been involved with Laureus as an Ambassador for several years, being invited to join the Academy is a great honour. I will do my best to continue working through the power of sport to achieve a positive change and to instil hope in young people around the world,” said Laureus Academy Member Luis Figo, former Real Madrid and Barcelona star.

Edwin Moses, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, was in Madrid to induct Luis and Carles into the Academy. He said: “Luis and Carles are two great additions to our team; it’s great to welcome them into the Laureus World Sports Academy. Having spoken to them I know they are passionate enthusiasts of sport for good and they’re looking forward to supporting the work the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation does around the world.”

Carles Puyol, considered one of the best central defenders in history, made his Barcelona debut in 1999, going on to play almost 600 matches, win 21 titles and captain the team for seven years. In 2000, Puyol represented the Spanish national team for the first time. Overall, he played 100 games, winning the European Championship in 2008 the World Cup in 2010.

Luis Figo played for both Sporting Lisbon and Barcelona in the early stages of his career, but made his biggest impact playing for Real Madrid, where he won many accolades including the Ballon d'Or in 2000, FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2001 and the Champions League in 2002.

The two stars join 53 other legends of the sporting world in the Laureus Academy, including a selection of the footballing greats including Manchester United and England legend Bobby Charlton, French World Cup and European Championship winner Marcel Desailly and Brazilian superstar Cafu.

Using sport as a means to influence change, The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation supports sport for development projects around the world. From surfing in Cape Town to Skiing on the slopes of the Austrian Alps, Laureus projects aim to combat a variety of issues including juvenile crime, gangs, HIV/AIDS, discrimination and social exclusion.

For further information please contact:

Virginie Bernon

International Senior Media & PR Manager

Tel: +44 (0) 207 514 2841

E mail: publicrelations@laureus.com

Website: www.laureus.com