Abbott and Real Madrid teamed up to launch the inaugural “Abbott Dream Team,” which is a ... More first-of-its-kind initiative that blends elite training with health education to empower the next generation of soccer players. Photo credit: Abbott This summer, Abbott and Real Madrid have teamed up to launch the inaugural “Abbott Dream Team,” which is a first-of-its-kind initiative that blends elite training with health education to empower the next generation of soccer players. Through a series of five tryouts across the U.S., the program will identify 11 standout athletes aged 18-19 who will travel to Madrid to train at Real Madrid’s world-class facilities. Notably, the program was designed with a deep commitment to gender equity, with the program offering equal opportunity for both women and men to shine. For Abbott, this initiative isn’t just about skill development; it’s about building lifelong habits for health, resilience, and leadership for young athletes chasing their dreams in sports. “It's not just about sports. Participants are all going to learn about health, sports nutrition, healthy lifestyles, and healthy habits,” said Chris Miller, the Divisional Vice President, Global Brand Strategy & Innovation at Abbott. “As a health company, we’re leaning in to show what health allows you to achieve, and then giving an opportunity to have 11 players come experience the best facilities and players in the world.” At its core, the Abbott Dream Team is a health initiative disguised as a soccer opportunity. For many young athletes, access to expert nutrition advice, injury prevention strategies, and recovery guidance remains limited. Abbott and Real Madrid are working to change that by embedding those lessons into a powerful, high-visibility program that blends aspiration with action. A Commitment to Gender Equity What makes the Abbott Dream Team especially notable is its commitment to gender equity. From day one, the program was designed to be open to both men and women to provide equal opportunities. “It wasn’t a decision; it was a given,” said Miller. “This program is for athletes. Full stop. But we’re also being intentional about encouraging young women to see themselves as athletes and to show up.” MORE FOR YOU As part of their efforts to encourage young women to participate, Abbott partnered with former NWSL goalkeeper Brittney Wilson Isenhour to promote and take part in the tryouts. Wilson took to Instagram to reflect on her time with the Abbott Dream Team: “Being at the Abbott Dream Team Tryouts reminded me exactly where it all began. These athletes aren’t just chasing a win—they’re building something bigger. Because what happens off the field—what you fuel with, how you recover, how you prepare—is what shapes the future. Abbott is helping the next generation of athletes build those habits for long-term success. Their dream could start right here.” A Full-Circle Impact From Tryouts to Training Camp Each of the five tryouts, located in Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Chicago and Los Angeles, has been designed for participants to receive elite-level coaching from Real Madrid’s staff and personalized health and nutrition education from Abbott’s team of experts. Each athlete will leave with a health toolkit and access to Abbott FC, which is a digital hub for ongoing wellness and community support. At the conclusion of tryouts, 11 selected players will travel to Madrid and have the chance to train at Ciudad Real Madrid and gain behind-the-scenes access to Real Madrid’s medical and performance teams. The final two tryouts of the “Abbott Dream Team” program will take place on Thursday, July 17, 2025 in Chicago, IL and on Thursday, July 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. Athletes can register and learn more at www.AbbottDreamTeam.com. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions