Maria Paz Lunghi (field hockey), Ian Soler Pino, Macarena Sánchez, Elianny Mujica Weffer, Mario Žebić, Clifton Miheso (soccer), Hinako Funatsuki (futsal), Leon Felderer (luge), Kayla Alexander (basketball), Sofia Cabrera (modern pentathlon), Mikhail Kukushkin (tennis), Amaia Erbina (rugby), and Michele Baranowicz (volleyball) have been awarded scholarships by Johan Cruyff Institute to pursue sport management studies through The Cruyff Athlete Fund.
As every year, a new group of international athletes will join Johan Cruyff Institute during the 2026–27 academic year thanks to The Cruyff Athlete Fund scholarship program. The initiative aims to support professional athletes in their transition into sport management through academic education, as part of Johan Cruyff Institute’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The program is closely linked to Johan Cruyff’s vision and serves as a way to carry on his legacy of strengthening the sports industry through professionals who combine firsthand experience in sport with a strong academic background. For athletes, it represents an outstanding opportunity to take the next step in their careers, whether they are still competing or preparing for life after retirement.
This marks the eighth edition of The Cruyff Athlete Fund. Johan Cruyff Institute will welcome these athletes into the Master in Sport Business Online, Master in Football Business Online, Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Management Online, Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Marketing and Sponsorship Online, and Postgraduate Diploma in Football Business Online.
Kayla Alexander (34, Canada)
An international basketball player for the Canadian national team, Kayla Alexander has competed in the Olympic Games and FIBA tournaments. She enjoyed a standout collegiate career at Syracuse University before going on to play professionally in the WNBA as well as in leagues across Europe and Asia. “I’m incredibly grateful to have received a full scholarship for the Master in Sport Business Online, which I consider one of the best sport management programs in the world. I truly value this opportunity.” Full scholarship for the Master in Sport Business Online.
Macarena Sánchez (34, Argentina)
A former professional soccer player who represented clubs including San Lorenzo de Almagro and Colón, Macarena Sánchez also served as Undersecretary at Argentina’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports. She is widely recognized as a pioneer of women’s soccer professionalization in Argentina and an international advocate for labor rights, gender equality, and sports policy. “I feel honored to have received this scholarship and excited to continue learning and contributing knowledge that will strengthen my post-playing career.” Full scholarship for the Master in Football Business Online.
Sofia Cabrera (29, Guatemala)
A modern pentathlete with multiple national and international titles, Sofia Cabrera won the individual gold medal at the 2025 Bolivarian Games. Alongside her athletic career, she earned a degree in Chemical Engineering. “I’m very excited about this new challenge. It will be an important year for both my athletic and academic journey—a chance to learn, grow, and apply that knowledge to what I’m truly passionate about.” Full scholarship for the Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Management Online.
Mikhail Kukushkin (38, Kazakhstan)
A professional tennis player with more than two decades on the ATP Tour, Mikhail Kukushkin reached a career-high ranking of No. 39 in the world and has won titles on both the ATP Tour and Challenger circuit, where he has claimed 16 titles. He has represented Kazakhstan in the Davis Cup and at the Olympic Games. In 2026, he founded Tennis Academy Project, where he serves as Founder and Performance Director. “Receiving this scholarship means a great deal to me. After more than 20 years competing in professional tennis, it represents an important step toward my future in sport beyond my playing career.” Partial scholarship for the Master in Sport Business Online.
Elianny Mujica Weffer (25, Venezuela)
A former Venezuelan soccer player with experience at youth, first-division, and national team levels, Elianny Mujica Weffer currently works in scouting, athlete representation, sport management, and social impact initiatives with organizations including Keystone Agency and Cochise College. “As a former athlete, this scholarship allows me to reconnect with my sporting roots from a new perspective. It’s an opportunity to transform my experience into tools that can help others achieve their goals.” Partial scholarship for the Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Marketing and Sponsorship Online.
Amaia Erbina (29, Spain)
An international rugby player, Amaia Erbina helped Spain win the 2026 Women’s Rugby Europe Championship and was also part of the Spanish rugby sevens team that earned an Olympic diploma at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. She holds a degree in English Studies and Linguistics and has successfully combined elite sport with academic and professional development. “This scholarship means far more to me than financial support. It’s an opportunity to turn years of sporting experience into a new professional path within the sports industry.” Full scholarship for the Master in Sport Business Online.
Michele Baranowicz (35, Italy)
A professional volleyball player and member of the Italian national team, Michele Baranowicz has competed in both European and World Championships. Most of his career has been spent in Italy’s SuperLega, while also playing professionally in Poland and Türkiye. He is currently pursuing a degree in Law and Sports Management at the University of Salento. “The opportunity to study at Johan Cruyff Institute will allow me to combine my experience in elite competition with high-level sport management education and an international perspective.” Partial scholarship for the Postgraduate Diploma in Football Business Online.
Maria Paz Lunghi (28, Italy/Argentina)
A professional field hockey player, Maria Paz Lunghi currently competes for Royal Herakles HC in Belgium after previously playing in France and Germany. She is also a member of the Italian national team. Alongside her sporting career, she works as a physical education teacher. “My career as a professional field hockey player has taught me the importance of continuous learning and preparing for the future. Receiving this support from Johan Cruyff Institute motivates me to keep growing as an athlete and as a professional.” Partial scholarship for the Master in Sport Business Online.
Ian Soler Pino (30, Spain)
Professional soccer player Ian Soler Pino began his career with RCD Espanyol and UD Almería before joining Fulham. He has since played in Italy, Albania, Lithuania, and the United States, and currently competes for KF Drenica in Kosovo. “I would like to sincerely thank Johan Cruyff Institute for this opportunity through The Cruyff Athlete Fund. After a career always connected to the game, this is the step I needed to continue developing beyond the field.” Partial scholarship for the Postgraduate Diploma in Football Business Online.
Hinako Funatsuki (29, Japan)
An international futsal player, Hinako Funatsuki has built an extensive career in Spain, where she has spent seven seasons competing for clubs including Sala Zaragoza, UCAM ElPozo Murcia, Atlético Torcal, Gran Canaria Teldeportivo, and AD Ceuta Femenino. She holds a degree in Sports Marketing from the University of Tokyo. “Receiving this scholarship and the opportunity to study is a great honor. I’m convinced that this experience will help me build a career in sports beyond my years as a player.” Partial scholarship for the Master in Sport Business Online.
Leon Felderer (24, Italy)
An elite luger and member of the Italian national team, Leon Felderer has competed on the FIL World Cup circuit and at the Winter Olympic Games. He holds a degree in Business Administration from Management Center Innsbruck (MCI). In addition to his athletic career, he serves as President of the FIL Athletes’ Commission and as a member of the FIL Executive Board. “Receiving a Cruyff Athlete Fund scholarship is a great honor. Coming from a smaller sport like luge, opportunities like this are incredibly valuable and highly motivating.” Full scholarship for the Master in Sport Business Online.
Mario Žebić (30, Croatia)
A professional soccer player with experience in both Croatian and international football, Mario Žebić holds a degree in Physical Education from the University of Split. Throughout his career, he has combined high-level competition with a growing interest in sport management and the development of the sports industry. “I’m grateful to Johan Cruyff Institute for this opportunity. This scholarship represents another step toward achieving my goals in football and sport management.” Partial scholarship for the Postgraduate Diploma in Football Business Online.
Clifton Miheso Ayisi (32, Kenya)
A Kenyan footballer who plays as a winger and has represented the Kenya national team since 2012. Throughout his career, he has competed in professional leagues in Kenya and South Africa. Alongside his playing career, he serves as Director and Co-Founder of Kick to Victory Soccer Academy and Goal Dream Africa. “This scholarship means an opportunity for me to learn, grow, and gain the knowledge needed in sport management to help build better systems for young footballers in Kenya.”
Full scholarship for the Master in Football Business Online.
