Previously, Sanllehí held significant positions in La Liga and the Premier League, serving as the football director at FC Barcelona and Arsenal, respectively.
Raúl Sanllehí, who played at North Carolina’s Guilford College, received the 2016 Alumni Excellence Award and brings a wealth of experience to Inter Miami. He was a pivotal figure at FC Barcelona from 2008 to 2019, where he played a crucial role in developing soccer legend Lionel Messi. After his tenure at Barcelona, he moved to Arsenal, serving as head of football from 2018 to 2020, and most recently, he was the CEO of Real Zaragoza until earlier this spring.
Raúl Sanllehí: I have a very clear model on which clubs should be based and grow from there. The ownership wants to turn Inter Miami into a global football powerhouse, which I embrace entirely.
At Inter Miami, Sanllehí will work alongside Chris Henderson, the club’s chief soccer officer and sporting director, to enhance its infrastructure and ensure sustainable growth.
Sanllehí’s connection to the United States began as a high school exchange student. He later returned to the U.S. to attend Guilford College, where he played for the Quakers’ soccer team and earned a degree in Business Management in 1992. This period was foundational for Sanllehí, who maintained a keen interest in MLS and its evolution.
Inter Miami CF has made significant strides on the global soccer stage in its first five years. The club recently named Sanllehí and Xavier Asensi as Co-Presidents, with Sanllehí focusing on football operations. Under his leadership, the club aims to strengthen its academy, develop a cohesive playing style, and build on its early successes, including winning the inaugural Leagues Cup and signing Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“The success of the past five years is that the Club has reached two important finals and has qualified for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. And another important thing is that 10 Academy products have been signed for the First Tea,” said Sanllehí. “I believe greatly in a club’s identity; the academy needs to nourish the first team.”
With major soccer events like the Copa América, Club World Cup, and the 2026 World Cup coming to the U.S., specifically to South Florida, Sanllehí sees Miami as the epicenter of soccer growth in North America. His experience and vision are expected to propel Inter Miami to new heights, aligning with the club’s aspiration to become a global football powerhouse.
