Johan Cruyff Institute and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona launch the Brais Méndez Award for the Best Final Degree Project (FDP) in Sports Management

To encourage talent in the sports industry, Johan Cruyff Institute and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) have announced the Brais Méndez Award for the Best Final Degree Project (FDP) in Sports Management. This award is named after the eponymous Real Sociedad player, who will become an ambassador of Johan Cruyff Institute, inspiring students and young talents while reinforcing a global commitment to excellence in sports education.

The Brais Méndez Award aims to recognize students who contribute new ideas and solutions in an ever-evolving industry. It seeks to encourage quality research, critical reflection, and the practical application of acquired knowledge, supporting future professional careers in a dynamic and increasingly influential sector. Students can register for the award on the website.

“For me, as my club, Real Sociedad, has always emphasized education and sport to be the foundations for personal growth. This award seeks to unite those two passions. The goal is to provide students with opportunities to advance their careers and showcase their ideas. Sports management needs creative and practical solutions, and I am convinced that these projects can make a difference,” said Brais Méndez. Born in Mos, in the province of Pontevedra, Brais currently plays as a midfielder for Real Sociedad and has represented the Spanish national football team.

The Brais Méndez Award represents a further step in the collaboration between Johan Cruyff Institute and the UAB. Both institutions, recognized for their academic excellence, have a long-standing partnership that resulted in a jointly organized university master’s degree, ranked among the best in the world by the SportBusiness Postgraduate Rankings. The Escola Fundació Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, together with Johan Cruyff Institute, created the Master’s Degree in Sports Management at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in 2016.

“From the University Master’s Degree in Sports Management, we aim to highlight the academic effort that goes into developing work in the sports field, an effort that, combined with the knowledge gained in the master’s degree, can lead to great achievements for graduates in the sports industry,” said Ricard Esparza Masana, Academic Director of the University Master’s Degree at Johan Cruyff Institute.

The jury for the Brais Méndez Award will consist of professionals and specialists from the sports sector, representatives of the UAB, and teaching staff from Johan Cruyff Institute. The winner will receive a full scholarship covering the 60 ECTS of the Master’s Degree in Sports Management, with the choice of either on-campus or online study.

“The Brais Méndez Award is an initiative that strengthens our commitment to innovation and young talent. At Johan Cruyff Institute, we have always been dedicated to fostering the development of future professionals in sports management, and this award is an excellent way to highlight the student who stands out for their work. Brais Méndez is an example of perseverance both in sport and in his personal life,” said Víctor Jordán, Academic Director of Johan Cruyff Institute.

With this initiative, Brais Méndez becomes part of the educational and professional legacy of Johan Cruyff Institute and the UAB, leaving a lasting impact on the development of future sports professionals.