ON THE CARDS: PLAYER MASCOTS AT UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL CELEBRATED WITH SPECIAL TOPPS CARDS
Player mascots at this year’s UEFA Champions League Final have been made into a unique set of Topps trading cards, commemorating them like the players they will be stepping on to the pitch beside.
Topps is the official trading card partner of the UEFA Champions League, and their cards are usually reserved for the biggest stars in the game, but a limited-edition, set of nine cards has been created for mascots from around Europe that will make the walk alongside superstars at the final in Budapest next weekend, marking the first time Player Mascot cards have been created.
Each card features an image of the girl in their Mastercard Player Mascot kit which is exclusively worn at every UEFA Champions League matchday, as well as what football means to them. With each unique story highlighting their passion for the game, how it helps make lasting friendships, build confidence in all areas of their life and their desire to pursue a career in the sport.
Although the players will be taking centre stage, the mascot spaces at the final are given to vulnerable children from multiple charities to give them the opportunity to shine and create memories that last a lifetime.
All girls that feature on the cards have taken part in the Girls4Football programme, a social impact initiative by Mastercard and the UEFA Foundation for Children designed to empower girls aged 8-16 with football skills and financial education. Over a 1,000 sessions have been provided to date in the UK, Hungary, Switzerland, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, showing how football can be used as a catalyst to improve health, education, inclusion and personal development.
The first cards were unveiled to the two UK mascots in London this week as they played at their local Bloomsbury Football session, where they could not contain their excitement. All other girls will receive their one-of-a-kind gifts when they arrive in Budapest at the Papp László Arena where they will meet former legends of the UEFA Champions League.
