Juventus Academy Los Angeles Welcomes Roberto Calenda as International Football Advisor

At Juventus Academy Los Angeles, player development goes far beyond what happens during training and matches. Our goal is to give young players and their families access to the knowledge, standards, and global perspective needed to better understand the pathway from youth soccer to international and professional football. That commitment takes another important step forward as we proudly welcome Roberto Calenda as International Football Advisor to Juventus Academy Los Angeles.

A FIFA-licensed football agent since 1997, Roberto brings more than 25 years of experience at the highest levels of international professional football. Throughout his career, he has worked with elite players, professional clubs, sporting directors, and executives across some of the world's most competitive leagues.

His experience and international perspective will provide another valuable resource for the Juventus Academy Los Angeles community as we continue developing ambitious young players in Southern California.

Who Is Roberto Calenda?

Roberto Calenda is an established figure in international football with decades of experience in player representation, career management, and international transfers. Throughout his career, his work has involved high-profile players including Victor Osimhen, Carlos Tevez, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Maicon, Juan Jesus, and Keita Baldé, among others. His professional experience spans major European football markets and competitions, including Serie A, the Premier League, and Ligue 1, giving him an extensive understanding of what separates youth football from the demands of the professional game.

Beyond individual transfers and negotiations, Roberto has developed a global network of relationships with professional clubs, football executives, scouts, and other decision-makers throughout the sport. It is that experience and perspective that he now brings to Juventus Academy Los Angeles.

Supporting International Player Development in Los Angeles

For talented young soccer players, development is about much more than being noticed. Technical ability matters. Tactical intelligence matters. Physical preparation matters. But understanding when a player is ready for the next step — and what that next step should actually be — matters just as much.

As International Football Advisor, Roberto will collaborate with Juventus Academy Los Angeles by sharing his expertise and perspective with our players, families, and coaches.

His advisory role will help our community better understand areas including:

• International football pathways

• Long-term player development

• The expectations of professional football environments

• International exposure and opportunities when appropriate

• Career planning and decision-making

• The transition from youth soccer toward higher levels of competition

The objective is not to rush young players toward professional football. It is to help create a more informed environment around their development.

Every player's journey is different, and decisions should be based on what is right for the individual player's ability, maturity, goals, and long-term development.

A Player-First Philosophy

One of the principles that makes Roberto's experience particularly valuable to our academy is his emphasis on integrity, transparency, and long-term career development.

In youth soccer, it can be easy for families to become focused on the next tryout, tournament, showcase, or opportunity.

Professional development requires a longer perspective.

A player's environment, coaching, playing time, education, physical development, mental maturity, and family situation can all influence the right next step.

Roberto's philosophy places the player at the center of those decisions.

That approach aligns with the development philosophy at Juventus Academy Los Angeles: develop the person and the player, build strong foundations, and allow opportunities to come at the appropriate stage of the journey.

Connecting Los Angeles Players With a Global Football Perspective

Los Angeles is home to an extraordinary amount of youth soccer talent.

At Juventus Academy Los Angeles, our players already develop within an environment connected to the methodology and international identity of Juventus. Adding Roberto's perspective gives our families another opportunity to understand how the football world operates beyond Southern California.

For a young player with serious ambitions, international exposure can be valuable — but only when it is part of a thoughtful development plan.

Having access to someone who has spent decades working inside professional football can help players and families better understand the standards, expectations, and realities of reaching higher levels of the game.

Roberto's role strengthens the bridge between elite youth soccer development in Los Angeles and the international football environment.

Career Highlights

Roberto Calenda's career includes:

• FIFA-licensed Football Agent since 1997

• More than 25 years of experience in international professional football

• Advisor and representative involved in major international football transfers

• Experience representing and working with elite players competing in Serie A, the Premier League, Ligue 1, and other leading competitions

• An extensive international network of relationships with professional clubs, executives, and football decision-makers

• A professional philosophy centered on integrity, player welfare, transparency, and long-term career development

Building Pathways Beyond Youth Soccer

At Juventus Academy Los Angeles, our responsibility is not simply to develop better soccer players.

We want our athletes to understand the game, challenge themselves, experience different football cultures, and be prepared when opportunities arrive.

For some players, the journey may remain local. Others may pursue college soccer, MLS NEXT, international training experiences, or eventually professional opportunities.

There is no single pathway.

What matters is creating an environment where ambitious players receive quality coaching, honest guidance, and exposure to people who understand the game at its highest levels.

The addition of Roberto Calenda as International Football Advisor represents another step in that direction.

We are proud to welcome Roberto to the Juventus Academy Los Angeles community and look forward to the knowledge and international perspective he will share with our players, families, and coaches.

Welcome to Juventus Academy Los Angeles, Roberto.

About Juventus Academy Los Angeles

Juventus Academy Los Angeles provides youth soccer players in Los Angeles with professional training based on the Juventus methodology and a development environment designed to help players progress technically, tactically, physically, and personally.

Through competitive teams, elite training, international experiences, and connections to the global Juventus Academy network, we aim to give ambitious young players the tools and experiences they need to pursue their individual soccer journey.

Interested in joining Juventus Academy Los Angeles? Explore our programs and request a tryout to learn more.