Beninese talent Divine Olayemi Sokpetin turning heads in Spain

Young Beninese midfielder Divine Olayemi Sokpetin is continuing his rapid rise in European football after impressing scouts and academy officials during the prestigious MICFootball 2026 tournament in Spain.

The talented midfielder, who currently develops his game at IDA Valencia, has emerged as one of the promising young African players to watch following a series of strong performances and growing recognition within elite youth football circles.

Sokpetin, who began his football journey at the Tchaourou Sports Academy (ASTAM) in Benin, has steadily progressed through several important stages in his development.

His technical quality and maturity on the ball have already helped him gain valuable experience in highly competitive environments.

During the MICFootball 2026 tournament, the young Beninese player was notably seen alongside members of the technical staff from La Masia, the famous FC Barcelona youth academy.

The moment, captured in a widely shared photograph, highlighted the level of attention he is beginning to attract from some of Europe’s most respected football institutions.

Before settling in Spain, Sokpetin also spent time with the Paris Saint-Germain Academy in France, where he experienced his first exposure to a major European football structure.

That spell was followed by his move to IDA Valencia, where he continues to refine his game in a demanding and competitive setting.

His progression from ASTAM in Benin to academies linked with European football giants reflects a significant step forward for the young midfielder.

The path he has taken in a relatively short period is already being viewed as a sign of both dedication and long-term potential.

The MICFootball tournament itself is regarded as one of the world’s leading youth competitions, regularly bringing together some of the strongest academies and emerging talents from across Europe and beyond.

Competing in such an environment has allowed Sokpetin to test himself against elite players from his generation while also increasing his visibility among scouts and recruiters.

Observers following the tournament have pointed to his composure, vision, technical ability and mentality as qualities that stand out.

Discussions involving La Masia staff further reinforced the growing belief that the Beninese midfielder possesses attributes sought by top-level academies.

As his development continues in Spain, Sokpetin’s progress is expected to attract even greater attention in the coming years.