Sabrina Ionescu Champions Young Athletes with Abbott Dream Team

Modern York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu is partnering with health care company Abbott to promote its youth soccer program, the Abbott Dream Team, offering 16 young American soccer players an unparalleled opportunity to train in Madrid, Spain.

Ionescu, a WNBA champion, four-time league All-Star, and Olympic gold medalist, emphasizes the importance of self-belief and focusing on controllable factors for young athletes. “Believing in yourself and controlling what you can,” Ionescu, 28, says. “Continuing to have that self-belief internally is really key and something that you can work on from a really young age.”

Elite Training and Nutritional Education

The Abbott Dream Team, in partnership with Real Madrid, provides the selected athletes with a week of elite soccer training under Real Madrid’s legendary coaching staff. Participants will also receive performance nutrition education from Abbott. The program aims to highlight the crucial link between health, nutrition, and athletic performance.

“I’m super excited to partner with Abbott and Real Madrid to continue to pour into the next generation of young soccer players and young athletes,” Ionescu stated in an interview with Sporting News. “They’re going to be hosting tryouts all around the U.S. And continuing to pour into the next generation.”

Tryout Details and Eligibility

Participation in the 2026 selection events is free and will take place from May 19 to June 9 in Miami, Washington D.C., Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. According to NBC Sports Bay Area, U.S. Resident soccer players who are 18 or 19 years traditional are eligible to compete for the all-expenses-paid trip.

The 16 players chosen will not only train with Real Madrid coaches but also have the opportunity to explore Madrid. Selection will be based on demonstrated skill, values, and determination, both on and off the field.

Ionescu’s Commitment to Soccer and Women’s Sports

Ionescu’s involvement extends beyond the Abbott Dream Team. She is also an investor in Bay FC, demonstrating her dedication to growing the sport of soccer, particularly in her Bay Area hometown. She views the program as a “one of one” opportunity for young athletes, emphasizing the importance of sports nutrition, a lesson she learned throughout her own athletic career.

“I learned as I was going through high school and college and continuing to just progress as an athlete, the importance of sports nutrition,” Ionescu said to Sporting News. “And if I could have started at a younger age, it would have been that much better.”

Ionescu is also a strong advocate for women’s sports, recognizing the positive momentum across various leagues and Olympic competitions. She believes that collective growth and mutual support are key to elevating all women’s sports.

Looking Ahead

The Abbott Dream Team program builds on the success of its 2025 launch, aiming to inspire and empower the next generation of American soccer stars. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, the program’s focus on developing young talent and promoting the importance of nutrition couldn’t be more timely. As highlighted on LinkedIn, Abbott is also activating at the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, further demonstrating its commitment to health and athletic performance across multiple sports.