Kevin-Prince Boateng Launches Rookie & Champ, Football Agency for Young Talents

Former Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng has launched a football agency, Rookie & Champ, designed to groom and guide the next generation of stars.

The agency's focus is not just on signing players, but on preparing them for the pressures of professional football and life beyond the pitch.

Boateng, who played for top clubs like AC Milan, Tottenham, and Barcelona, understands the challenges young players face. He recalls his own experience of turning pro at 18 and struggling to cope with the sudden fame and pressure. "I went pro at 18 and I was loving it," he said. "Then I moved to Tottenham. Ten days later, the coach said, 'I don't want you.' That moment changed everything for me."

Rookie & Champ aims to provide the guidance and support that Boateng feels he lacked in his early career. The agency prioritizes mental readiness, recognizing that players can quickly rise to fame with a single goal or viral moment. "Today, you score one goal or play well for half a season, and suddenly you're worth 30 million," Boateng explained. "You get 100,000 followers overnight—and then you start chasing 200,000. It's hard to keep players grounded."

To address this, Rookie & Champ selects players who are mentally stable and involves their parents deeply in the process. "We select players who are mentally stable. And we involve their parents deeply. That's key," Boateng said.

The agency's goal is to develop players who are ready for the pressures of professional football and life beyond the pitch. "You have a Rookie & Champ player at 18—he's ready for everything. He can take a penalty in front of 50,000. Not just because of talent, but because he's prepared for the moment," Boateng added.

Boateng's own experiences have shaped his approach to mentoring young players. He admits to often thinking about what could have been with the right guidance. "If I had this, I would've played ten straight years at Real Madrid. Absolutely." However, his focus now is on building futures, rather than dwelling on past regrets.

Source: Lead News Online