We discovered a new generation of talent at the Nike Elite Summit Over three days in Sardinia, alongside Nicolò Barella and Martina Piemonte

Nike brought together some of the most promising young talents in Italian football for the Nike Elite Summit 2026, an immersive experience designed to support the growth of the next generation of athletes through a journey combining innovation, performance, education, and personal development. Over three days, participants took part in a programme designed to provide practical tools to help them face the challenges of modern sport, both on and off the field. The Summit began with a deep dive into Nike’s world of innovation, thanks to the presence of the expert team from the Nike Montebelluna innovation centre. The athletes had the opportunity to discover the latest technologies developed by the brand, testing new products — including the BREAK 'EM PACK, featuring the new Tiempo, Mercurial, and Phantom boots — directly on the field and providing their feedback as part of the continuous research and development process that defines Nike’s approach to performance.

72 hours in Sardinia with Nike

Alongside the on-field testing sessions, the programme placed a strong focus on personal growth and the development of a sporting culture built on shared values. This approach was reflected in the Blind Football experience, created in collaboration with the Bebe Vio Academy, which allowed participants to experience first-hand the importance of inclusion, empathy, and mutual trust, demonstrating how sport can be a powerful tool for connecting people. The experience was further enriched by the presence of Nike athletes such as Nicolò Barella and Martina Piemonte, who shared their personal and professional journeys, offering insights and advice to the young participants. In particular, Barella’s contribution represented one of the most significant moments of the Summit: the Inter midfielder took part in a symbolic passing of the torch to the new generation of Nike athletes, sharing the values of commitment, responsibility, and dedication that define every athlete’s journey and encouraging the young talents to become the protagonists of the future of sport.

Throughout the three days, participants also took part in informal discussions, team-building activities, sporting challenges, and collaborative experiences, strengthening their sense of belonging to the Nike community. With the Nike Elite Summit 2026, Nike reaffirms its commitment to supporting the growth of future generations by promoting a vision of sport that goes beyond competitive results and places innovation, creativity, inclusion, and human development at its core, supporting athletes throughout their journey both on and off the field.