Talent Identification Games at CAMPO: What a FIFA Agent Looks For in Young Players
On November 6, the CAMPO match field at 6225 Cahuenga Blvd hosts Talent Identification Games with Roberto Calenda, a FIFA-licensed agent since 1997 and the International Football Advisor to Juventus Academy Los Angeles.
The games are exclusive to current Juventus Academy LA players. For families who are not in the academy yet, this post explains what a talent ID day involves, what a professional evaluator watches for, and how players at CAMPO move into the environment where days like this happen. The full announcement is on the Juventus Academy LA blog.
Who Is Roberto Calenda?
Calenda has spent close to 30 years inside professional football. His work has involved players including Victor Osimhen, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva and Carlos Tevez, with deals across Serie A, the Premier League and Ligue 1.
In August 2026, Juventus Academy Los Angeles named him International Football Advisor. In that role he helps players, families and coaches understand international pathways, professional expectations, and when a player is truly ready for the next step.
Scout, Recruiter or Agent?
Parents often use these words interchangeably. They are different jobs:
A club scout identifies players for a specific team or academy.
A college recruiter evaluates high school players for university programs.
A FIFA-licensed agent represents professional players and advises on careers at the highest level.
Calenda is in the third group. When someone who talks to sporting directors every week watches a youth match in North Hollywood, players are measured against what professional football actually demands.
What Evaluators Watch For
Talent identification happens in real games, not isolated drills. On a day like this, a professional eye usually focuses on five things:
Technique under pressure: first touch, passing range, and playing forward in tight spaces.
Game intelligence: scanning, positioning, and decision speed.
Physical profile: speed, agility, endurance, and how a player is likely to develop.
Mentality: reaction to mistakes, communication, and work rate without the ball.
Readiness: whether maturity and environment make the next level the right move now.
The approach is player-first. The goal is not to rush anyone toward professional football. It is to give families better information so decisions fit the individual player.
Why It Happens at CAMPO
CAMPO is the home match field for Juventus Academy Los Angeles and LA Youth (MLS NEXT). It sits at St. Patrick Church and School in North Hollywood, with a Performance LAB for athletic testing and a spectator area for parents.
Because the competitive academy, MLS NEXT teams and open programs share one home, players who start in a CAMPO league or development group train on the same field where evaluations like this take place.
How to Get Your Player Into This Environment
There are two ways in, depending on age and level:
Start with a CAMPO program. The Juventus Development Program, CAMPO Youth Leagues and the Fitness and Agility Program build the foundation for academy tryouts.
Try out for the competitive academy. According to the CAMPO schedule, Juventus Competitive and LA Youth MLS NEXT tryouts start in December.
Not sure where your player fits? Contact CAMPO, email info@mycampo.com, or call (805) 410-3224 and we will help you find the right starting point.
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