At Just 15 years old, Philadelphia Union phenom Cavan Sullivan has already brushed shoulders with greatness, writes Jonathan Tannenwald for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Featured in Adidas’ “Messi +10” campaign, Norristown’s Sullivan joins nine other rising stars mentored by soccer legend Lionel Messi. The campaign highlights young talents navigating the pressures of professional soccer, with Messi offering guidance to help them thrive.
In the promotional video, Sullivan walks through Subaru Park, reflecting on meeting Messi after a Union match against Inter Miami last year.
Sullivan remarked, “Meeting him was crazy to me. Because it’s like, hey, I just met him, and now a month later, it’s like, would you like to be a part of the Messi +10 collab? And it’s like, yeah, obviously.”
Soccer runs deep in Cavan’s family. His grandfather, Larry is a local soccer legend and his older brother, Quinn also plays for the Union.
In three years, Sullivan is set to join English powerhouse Manchester City through a prearranged deal, but his dreams extend furth: making the U.S. squad for the 2026 World Cup. Though it’s a long shot, given his youth and the depth of talent, Sullivan’s confidence shines.
With his talent, and Messi’s mentorship, Cavan Sullivan is poised to make his mark on soccer’s biggest stages.
Read more about Cavan Sullivan in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
