Destiny Udogie

Business man

What does a football player do beyond being a footballer? What limits does the football player have, and how does he want – or would like – to express himself in everyday life, after finishing training with his teammates? We discussed this, and much more, with Destiny Udogie. What does it mean for a 20-year-old to move from Friuli Venezia Giulia to North London? How do new horizons and cultural influences change when joining the Premier League? What is it like to live in a metropolis, and, more importantly, how do you reconcile the constant stimuli of this environment with professional football? What we did with Destiny Udogie was embark on a journey to understand the perspective of professionals on delicate issues that, every season, put countless athletes under the glaring spotlight, undermining their freedom to be and express themselves.

Full Look CP COMPANY.

Full Look CP COMPANY.

To do so, we could only choose a next-gen player, a 2002-born talent who has just started showcasing his skills on the field with Spurs, also fighting for a spot in the Italy national team. Destiny Udogie is the new protagonist of More Than, but he is, above all, an athlete with a personality that can serve as a mirror to understand the desires, needs, and aspirations of the modern footballer.

We meet Destiny at the Tottenham Community Sports Centre, one of the most famous community sports centers in London. Among dusty carpets and the parquet of a field, Udogie doesn’t waste too many words: «I just got back, today’s afternoon training was tough.» After an injury that caused him to miss 12 games with Spurs, Udogie is now more focused than ever. «You know, I’m not one for partying, going to clubs or stuff like that. I’m always focused on the field. It’s my job, right? But there are other things I enjoy that relax me and that I want to do freely. I’d like all footballers to be able to do them, for everyone to feel free; we can’t only think about football.»

We take the opportunity to ask his opinion on the controversy sparked in January 2025, which angered AC Milan’s manager, Sergio Conceição: 36 hours before Milan-Parma, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Davide Calabria, Theo Hernandez, and Francesco Camarda attracted criticism for attending Lazza concert in Milan, where they took a photo with the Italian rapper at the end of the event. «I find it ridiculous. How can it be considered disrespectful? And disrespectful to who? If we want to analyze this situation objectively, is it any different than going out for dinner and maybe having a drink or a glass of wine? Coaches – and clubs – should learn to give players more freedom, because it increases their well-being within the clubs, which are businesses, after all. Denying these things only risks making players unhappy – and therefore less productive.»

Full look MONCLER x FRGMT.

Full look MONCLER.

Full look MONCLER x FRGMT.

Full look MONCLER.

Full look MONCLER x FRGMT.

Full look MONCLER.

«Before walking for 424, I didn’t think being a model for the day would be so hard: the show was at 5:00 PM, and I arrived at 1:00 PM, greeted Robert Pirès and Mathieu Flamini. Then they explained how I should walk on the runway. I didn’t even know there were so many different types of walks»

More Than - Destiny Udogie Business Man | Image 561064

«Before walking for 424, I didn’t think being a model for the day would be so hard: the show was at 5:00 PM, and I arrived at 1:00 PM, greeted Robert Pirès and Mathieu Flamini. Then they explained how I should walk on the runway. I didn’t even know there were so many different types of walks»

More Than - Destiny Udogie Business Man | Image 561068

Despite his extreme reserve and professionalism, from the exact moment Destiny Udogie steps out of the car that brought him to North London, it’s clear that the Spurs player is not one to shy away from expressing himself: he’s followed by a crew. «They (two guys) help me with my project. Starting from August 2025, I'd like to begin documenting my days in a vlog, it’s a way for me to distract myself and express myself.» After the makeup session, Destiny begins analyzing the outfits he’ll wear for the shoot – a total style change, after showing up on set in classic Destiny Udogie style: a Goyard pocket square and Marni slippers. «Finally, a different style! I’ll like seeing myself in these looks. This Fragment x Moncler jacket is incredible, I’d love to take it home after the shoot» (laughs).

Since arriving in London, Udogie has discovered a metropolis with its cultural influences, a melting pot that blends infinite shades and could easily become a distraction for a footballer, especially a youngster like Destiny: «Since I arrived in London, my perception of fashion has radically changed, as well as the importance I give to it. I like borrowing other people’s styles, I like observing what communities wear, how fashion moves, and since I’ve been in London, everything is easier, I have a lot more stimuli. Then there’s Fashion Week here; I’m developing a certain relationship with it. Last year, I had already been to Paris Fashion Week as a spectator, but this year I participated more actively» (laughs).

During the January Paris Fashion Week, Destiny Udogie walked the runway for 424, Guillermo Andrade’s Los Angeles brand. The Tottenham full-back was chosen by the designer, alongside football legends Mathieu Flamini and Robert Pirès. We asked Destiny what that moment meant for him. «When they offered me the chance to walk for 424, I was actually very chill, because it’s not my job, so I knew the expectations were low. I have to be honest, I didn’t think being a model for the day would be so hard: the show was at 5:00 PM, and I arrived at 1:00 PM, greeted Robert Pirès and Mathieu Flamini. Then they explained how I should walk on the runway. I didn’t even know there were so many different types of walks.»

Even when we try to talk about sports in general, we always come back to the same topic: self-expression. This time, we get there after a short conversation about the NBA, and their celebrations a la Steph Curry, with the famous Night, night, also picked up by Kvaratskhelia & co. «It's not only about the show on the court; I love the NBA for other reasons. It's a league that gives athletes full freedom. I love the way they can express themselves during interviews. It's not like football. And then you have tunnel fits... I wish I didn’t have to wear club uniforms every matchday».

We end by discussing what Destiny Udogie would have done in an alternate scenario, outside of football: «I would have been a businessman, for sure,» a strange choice, considering his recent disdain for uniforms. «Right now, I just need a good game of Call of Duty with my friends.»