Legendary AC Milan defender and World Cup winner Alessandro Nesta will headline SBC Summit Tbilisi 2025, where he will explore the parallels between the world of sports, leadership, and building successful partnerships with industry operators.
The summit, hosted in collaboration with SMH Global, will take place at the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace on October 15–16. It will provide 2,000 stakeholders interested in Eastern Europe and Central Asia with two days of strategic insights and access to C-level executives, regulatory leaders, and major brands shaping the region.
Having lifted the Champions League trophy with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007 and celebrated World Cup triumph with Italy in 2006, Nesta will bring his winning mentality to the summit, making two special appearances across the core days of the event.
On Wednesday, 15 October, he will deliver a keynote where he will reflect on his career and discuss themes such as leadership, resilience, and the connection between sports and betting. Delegates can expect a thoughtful conversation that links lessons from the pitch to challenges faced in today’s competitive gaming markets.
On Thursday, 16 October, Nesta will join the panel “The Influence of Sports Icons in Gaming & Entertainment,” alongside Georgian football legend Zurab Khizanishvili and industry experts Lasha Machavariani (Founder, SMH Global), Dr Matthias Kirschenhofer (Former Co-CEO, Sport1 Medien) and Zurab Magalashvili (Marketing Director, Flutter Entertainment). The discussion will explore how gaming companies can collaborate with elite athletes to enhance fan engagement, strengthen brand credibility, and drive meaningful partnerships while maintaining responsible gaming standards.
Discussing Nesta’s upcoming appearance, SBC Founder and CEO Rasmus Sojmark said, “Alessandro Nesta is one of the most iconic and influential footballers of the modern era. His style of play redefined what it meant to be a defender, and we’re excited for him to bring that same forward-thinking perspective to the conversations around sports, betting, and operator partnerships at SBC Summit Tbilisi. Consider this a must-attend!”
Born in Rome in 1976, Alessandro Nesta began his journey to football stardom at a young age, signing his first professional contract with Lazio in 1993, aged 17. By the mid-1990s, he had already established himself as one of the brightest young defenders in Serie A.
During his nine-year spell at Lazio, he captained the side and became a cornerstone of their defence, helping the club win the Serie A title in 2000, two Coppa Italia trophies, two Supercoppa Italiana titles, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999, and the UEFA Super Cup later that year.
In the summer of 2002, Nesta made a high-profile move to AC Milan. It was there that he truly cemented his reputation as one of the greatest defenders of his generation.
Spending over a decade at Milan, he would win two UEFA Champions League titles (2003 and 2007), two Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia, two Supercoppa Italiana trophies, two UEFA Super Cups, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
On the international stage, Nesta made his debut for Italy in 1996 and featured in three FIFA World Cups (1998, 2002, 2006) and three UEFA European Championships (1996, 2000, 2004). Although injury cut short his participation in the 2006 World Cup, he was part of Marcello Lippi’s squad that triumphed in Germany, giving him the crowning achievement of his international career.
After leaving AC Milan in 2012, Nesta brought his playing career to a close abroad, joining Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact, and later Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League. He officially retired from professional football in 2014.
Following retirement, Nesta turned to coaching and management. He took his first role as head coach of Miami FC in 2015, winning the NASL Spring and Fall Championships in 2017. He later returned to Italy, taking charge of Serie B sides Perugia and Frosinone, before stepping down in 2021. Most recently, Alessandro Nesta had worked with Serie A club AC Monza.
By combining his unique experience as both a world-class athlete and a coach, Nesta brings a rare dual perspective to SBC Summit Tbilisi 2025. His appearances promise to connect the worlds of sport and gaming in ways that will resonate with attendees interested in leveraging sports partnerships while gaining fresh perspectives on leadership.
Get Your Ticket for SBC Summit Tbilisi now!
Full Event Pass – Provides access to the exhibition floor, all conference sessions, and both the opening and closing networking parties. The pass also includes free breakfast, lunch, hot and cold drinks throughout the event, plus complimentary drinks at the networking parties.
Bringing the team? Get a $50 discount per ticket when you buy three or more passes with our Group Ticket.
Operators and affiliates are eligible for complimentary tickets; simply apply.
