Javier Tebas Discusses the Future of Football at Olé Summit 2025

omidbasir- Javier Tebas participated in the Olé Summit 2025, delivering an insightful talk that generated multiple headlines about contemporary football consumption, the challenges facing the industry, and the persistent threat of piracy that jeopardizes the future of the business. Moderated by Andrés Eliceche, the president of LaLiga outlined the current and future landscape of the world’s most popular sport, blending analysis, warnings, and personal reflections on Argentina, a country he feels closely connected to.

At the outset, Tebas dismantled the widely held notion that LaLiga has lost its appeal since the departures of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. “Of course, I would have loved for Messi, Cristiano, Mourinho, or Guardiola to stay, but their exit does not explain or hinder our growth. Stars come and go; what sustains a competition are the clubs and the structure,” he asserted. To further his argument, he contrasted the Spanish model with the Saudi league, which, despite its high-profile signings, still falls short of being regarded as one of the best. He also emphasized that no broadcasters requested reductions in their deals after Messi’s departure, noting that audiovisual contracts are long-term and that maintaining a strong and attractive competition is what truly matters.

Tebas positioned LaLiga as the second-most followed league in Europe. “The Premier League leads, but we are right behind. Following us are the Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1. The statistics regarding followers and social media interaction illustrate our continued growth and narrowing gap.”

Addressing the perennial debate on competitiveness, he highlighted a crucial detail: “In a league with 20 teams, ideally, the champion should not exceed 85 or 90 points. If a team reaches 100, it indicates that the others are far behind and that many matches are predictable.” He reminisced about even storied tournaments like the Premier League, which have experienced dominant reigns: “Manchester City won six in a row with over 100 points. Having one team consistently winning is not the issue; what’s important is that they drop points along the way.”

In a personal revelation, Tebas reiterated his connection to Argentina: “If I could have a second passport, it would be Argentine. I feel very connected to this country and share in the struggles of its football scene.”

Another significant topic was youth consumption of football. Tebas rejected the alarmist belief that “young people no longer watch 90 minutes,” but acknowledged that they engage differently. “Young audiences remain attentive, but in their own way. We didn’t have smartphones at their age; the context has changed,” he explained. He also expressed concern for older audiences who are not digital natives: “Those who are not familiar with technology struggle without Wi-Fi and may not know how to follow the game. We must enhance usability for them, as they are the ones paying for the services enjoyed by the youth.”

The issue of piracy, a long-standing battle for Tebas, was addressed towards the end of the discussion. He stated firmly: “Piracy is theft. There is no need to create new rules to understand that.” He highlighted that Argentina is among the “most advanced” countries in combating this crime, referencing recent investigations that are pivotal in dismantling international networks. He concluded with a decisive statement: “If piracy were to disappear, football could become more affordable for everyone. It would be possible to generate equal or even greater revenue with lower prices, but first, we must eliminate this problem.”