Sport News: Brazil has 1,455 footballers playing in professional leagues abroad, more than any other country, according to the CIES Football Observatory’s May 2026 census of 135 leagues. Nigeria’s contingent has grown by 60% since 2021. Most of these careers start the same way: a teenager is spotted by someone, somewhere. Go2Pro, a sports-technology platform with football already live, wants to make that first contact verifiable and safe for minors.
Key facts
- Brazil: 1,455 players abroad, ahead of France (1,275) and Argentina (1,016).
- Nigeria: 211 more expatriate players than in 2021, a 60% increase.
- Go2Pro reach: Country Managers active or signing in more than 17 countries, app available in 11 languages.
- Safety model: every scout, coach and professional must pass KYC identity checks, and professionals cannot message minors directly.
Why talent from emerging markets is hard to find
The numbers show where football talent comes from. They don’t show how much of it is never seen. A gifted 15-year-old in Lagos, Recife, Addis Ababa or Kolkata depends on a scout physically passing by, a local agent with the right contacts, or a trial that costs money the family may not have.
That informal system has two problems. It is inefficient, because clubs only see the players who reach a few showcases. And it is risky, because the intermediaries are often unverified adults dealing directly with children. FIFA’s transfer regulations already restrict international transfers of players under 18 for exactly this reason. They protect minors once a transfer is on the table, but not during the months of contact that come before it.
How Go2Pro works
Go2Pro gives each young player a free “football passport”: a profile with video highlights and certified skill assessments. Only the player’s first name is shown publicly.
The rules for minors are strict by design:
- Accounts for players under 18 are created and managed by a parent or legal guardian.
- The player links the parent account with a single-use six-digit PIN.
- Parents approve each video before it goes live and can block or delete content.
- Scouts can watch the videos, but they contact the parents, never the child.
On the professional side, the Go2Pro Storm app is reserved for verified scouts, coaches and clubs. Identity infrastructure comes from LutinX, assessments are logged on blockchain, and AI tools check video authenticity. Each video shows two separate view counts, one from players and parents and one from scouts, so a family can see whether professionals are actually looking.
Why it matters for BRICS countries
BRICS members are home to nearly half of the world’s population, and a large part of it is young. Brazil leads the export table. Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, South Africa and Indonesia all have deep grassroots football and limited scouting infrastructure outside their biggest cities.
For these countries, a verified digital first step has three practical effects:
- Reach: a player in a small town becomes visible to clubs on other continents without travelling.
- Protection: families deal with identified professionals rather than anonymous intermediaries.
- Records: assessments and videos form a track record that can’t easily be faked.
Go2Pro is careful about expectations. “We never promise contracts, selections, or professional career outcomes,” the company states on its website. The value lies in visibility and safety, not in guarantees.
The platform’s next steps are tournaments and showcases under the Go2Pro Events brand, plus a fighting-sports section for adults only (18+). Basketball is in a pilot phase.
FAQ
Is Go2Pro free for players?
Yes. The football passport is free for players.
Can scouts contact minors on Go2Pro?
No. Scouts must pass identity checks and contact the parents or guardians of players under 18.
Which country exports the most footballers?
Brazil, with 1,455 players in foreign leagues in May 2026, according to the CIES Football Observatory.
Disclosure: BRICS24 and Go2Pro are part of the same group of companies founded by Alessandro Civati.
Sources: CIES Football Observatory; Inside World Football; Go2Pro. Related: How sport-tech can open new football pathways across emerging markets.
