Meet 2025 Football Recruit: Patrick Belletti

We’re proud to introduce Patrick Belletti, a Brazilian footballer set to take the next step in both his academic and athletic journey in the UK.

With a rich footballing culture and universities that offer access to world-class academic and athletic facilities, the UK has become a leading destination for ambitious players aiming to grow both on the pitch and in the classroom.

Among those embracing this dual pathway is Brazilian-born forward Patrick Belletti.

The son of former professional footballer Juliano Belletti — a World Cup winner who famously played for clubs including Barcelona and Chelsea — Patrick has grown up immersed in the game. He began with futsal and went on to attend elite training camps with major clubs such as Barcelona, Juventus, and Chelsea, gaining valuable international experience early in his development.

In 2023, his footballing talent earned him a scholarship to study and train at the British International School Phuket in Thailand — home to the BISP Cruzeiro Football Academy, a high-performance programme centred around Cruzeiro Esporte Clube’s renowned athlete development system.

Now, he’s ready to take the next step: joining a UK university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with Marketing while continuing his football journey in one of the world’s most passionate footballing nations.

We spoke with Patrick about his journey so far, what inspired his move to the UK, and the goals he’s working towards both academically and athletically.

Can you tell us a bit about your footballing journey so far—how did you get into the sport, and what have been some of your biggest achievements?

“I started playing football because of my father, Juliano Belletti, who is a former professional football player who played for prestigious football clubs such as Chelsea FC. Since a young age, I’ve been surrounded by the game and naturally began playing futsal as my first step.

Around the age of 11, I made the transition to 11-a-side football. Over the years, I’ve taken part in several elite football camps, including with clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea, and Juventus, which gave me valuable international exposure.

In 2023, I earned a football scholarship to study at a British international school in Thailand, where Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, a historic Brazilian team, runs a youth academy program. This opportunity has allowed me to keep developing as a player while also pursuing my education in a competitive and international environment.”

Why did the UK stand out as the best place to pursue both your education and football career?

“The UK stood out to me because of its strong football culture and its excellent universities. It’s one of the few places in the world where I can continue developing as a footballer while also pursuing a high-quality business education.

The history, the passion for the sport, and the professional opportunities within football and business make the UK the perfect place for me to grow.”

What criteria were most important to you when selecting your future university?

“For me, the most important factors were:

• A university with strong links to football, either through teams and academies.
• A good business or marketing program to prepare me for a career in sports business or marketing.
• A city where football is part of the culture, with a community where I can feel at home and experience the cultural English football environment.
• Opportunities for international students to integrate and succeed.”

What are you most looking forward to in your first year in the UK?

“I’m really looking forward to experiencing the UK football culture first-hand, from playing competitively to watching matches in historic stadiums.

I’m also excited to meet new people from all over the world, grow academically in a business environment, and take on new challenges that will push me to become a better version of myself in sports and professionally.”

What are your long-term career ambitions, and how do you think being at a UK university will help with these?

“In the next few years, my goal is to stand out on the team, play at a high level, and help achieve a lot of wins and success. I want to make the most of every opportunity, stay consistent, and hopefully reach something even bigger after university, whether that’s continuing in football professionally or building a career in the sports industry.

Being at a UK university gives me the perfect platform to chase these goals. I’ll be surrounded by a strong football culture and have access to top academic resources in business and marketing, which will allow me to grow both as a player and as a professional.”

What was your experience like when working with The Student Sport Company?

“Working with your team was a smooth and positive experience. Everyone was professional, responsive, and really supportive throughout the process. It made me feel confident and excited about my future journey.

I’m grateful for the opportunity and the genuine care you showed in helping me take this next big step.”

Interested in pursuing your football career and education at a UK University? We can help!

We proudly work with the leading sporting and academic institutions throughout the U.K. and are able to offer international students of all ages and levels of study the opportunity to combine their preferred academic qualifications with their sporting ambitions.

Learn more about UK university football below, or register your details for our free service to embark on an exciting student-athlete journey in the UK.