Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Syed Mohsen Gilani met senior LaLiga officials in Spain to discuss collaborations in youth football, women’s football, new domestic leagues, and mentorship programs for coaches.
The high-level meeting, supported by the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and the government of Pakistan, was held with Mr. Juan Florit Zapata, Head of LaLiga Football Development. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, H.E. Dr Zahoor Ahmed, also attended the talks.
LaLiga officials expressed strong interest in Pakistan’s growing football ecosystem and underlined opportunities for impactful partnerships to nurture young talent and elevate professional standards in the country.
PFF President Mohsen Gilani welcomed LaLiga’s keen engagement, noting that such collaborations could be a turning point for Pakistan football. “This partnership is a step forward in raising football standards in Pakistan, offering our players, coaches, and women athletes exposure to global best practices,” Gilani said.
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“Talks were extremely productive and centered on long-term collaboration,” one source told the Geo on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly.
“LaLiga has shown immense interest in Pakistan and expressed willingness to launch a landmark project here soon.”
The revival of the Pakistan Football League has been a longstanding demand from stakeholders in the country, as the sport struggles with a lack of structure and international exposure.
PFF officials believe that La Liga’s involvement could help bring professionalism, technical expertise, and greater visibility to domestic competitions.
The sources added that La Liga’s potential partnership with PFF could open doors for grassroots development, talent identification, and capacity building for coaches and referees.
“This is not just about one project; it’s about building a sustainable system for football in Pakistan,” the source familiar with the talks said.
La Liga, one of the world’s most prominent football leagues, has previously partnered with several federations across Asia and Africa to strengthen grassroots programs.
Its interest in Pakistan would help in a significant step for the country’s ambitions to reintegrate into the global football community.