LB

Luigi Barcella

Available to hire

I'm Luigi Barcella, a regional executive with over 25 years of leadership across legal advisory, e-sports management and business development in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.

About

I’m Luigi Barcella, a regional executive with over 25 years of leadership across legal advisory, e-sports management and business development in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. I excel at structuring ventures, guiding complex negotiations, and setting up semi-government and government JV projects, while advising boards on strategic investments, compliance, and sustainable growth.

As a former professional football player, I bring discipline, teamwork, and a global network to drive sports technology, international trade, and brand expansion. I have led partnerships with royal families and government entities, built sports academies, and steered cross-border import-export from factory to market. I am passionate about leveraging AI in training, delivering impactful sports events, and creating value for partners and communities.

  • 28 years' experience
  • Joined February 2026

Skills· 1

Languages

  • ItalianFluent
  • EnglishFluent
  • FrenchFluent
  • ArabicFluent

Industry experience

  • Professional Services
  • Media & Entertainment
  • Government
  • Education
  • Other

More experts in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Work experience· 10 roles

Middle East Consultant / Personal Representative Advisor to Javier Zanetti · PUPI UNIVERSITY OF SPORTS & TECHNOLOGYMay 2023 – Present · 3 yrs 7 mos

Project Team-Leader and Content Creator guiding the Feasibility Study and Financial Business Plan for expansion into ME, NA, and CA regions; Ambassador-Coordinator representing Javier Zanetti to Government Entities and Royal Family Members to secure Partner-Investors; Developing the ALL FOR ALL concept integrating sports, tourism, and wellness; Overseeing the implementation of AI technologies in training programs and launching ActivESPORTS-4D GAMES, fusing virtual e-sports with physical reality.

GDS & Legal Business Advisor (General Sport Director) · TEBYAN HOLDING & TEBYAN E-SPORTJun 2022 – May 2024 · 2 yrs

Legal Business Advisor to the Chairman HRH Sheikha Badriyah Hamad J.M. Al Sabah; General Sport Director (GDS); acquiring new technologies to improve national world green ranking and partnering with Electric Motorsports properties; Established new Sports Academies for youth and Special Needs Organizations; Provided financial and economic advisory for Government and Private Sector projects, handling banking facilities and investment funds for sport infrastructure regeneration.

Corporate Legal Director, Head of BD MENA · MELEIH ADVOCATES & LEGAL CONSULTANTSSep 2020 – Dec 2021 · 1 yr 4 mos

Advised the Board on legal business matters and headed Business Development for the MENA region; Procured solutions for Partnership Agreements and identified strategic investors; Executed strategies to align project purposes with client responsibilities and legal frameworks.

Group Business Development Director (UAE) · ARABIAN COMPANY OIL & GAS SERVICESMay 2013 – May 2016 · 3 yrs 1 mo
Associate Consultant / Project Director · BIN HAM GROUP ENTERPRISESSep 2009 – Sep 2011 · 2 yrs 1 mo
Project Director, Head of BD MENA · CURRIE AND BROWN INT. LTDJun 2006 – Apr 2009 · 2 yrs 11 mos
GM and Partner · HORIZON-BARCELLA LLCSep 2002 – May 2006 · 3 yrs 9 mos
F&B Branch Manager and Partner · ITALIAN OAIS B&BSep 1997 – Jul 2002 · 4 yrs 11 mos

Education

Doctorate in Jurist Management (Candidate) · University of Bucharest Italy/Romania2030 – 2026
Diploma in Economics and Finance · Tito Speri High School, Italy1985 – 1990

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