Arianna Criscione’s journey in football is remarkable, spanning multiple countries, key roles at Paris Saint-Germain and eventually her transition to entrepreneurship with the founding of Valeur Sport. Her experiences as an athlete, combined with her advocacy for women in sports, have shaped her career both on and off the pitch.
Arianna began playing football in the United States, following the footsteps of her older sister, whom she always sought to emulate. Growing up in a middle-class family where sports were widely accessible, she recalls her sister being placed in goal simply because she was the “chubby kid,” a common practice in youth sports. Arianna herself, was tall and skinny and her coaches wanted her to be a forward, but by her own admission, she was too slow to be a forward, resulting in her parents questioning her footballing abilities. “They wanted to take me out of the sport,” she joked, but her persistence paid off, she transitioned to being a goalkeeper, which resulted in a professional career that would span nearly 15 years.
Overcoming Injury and Resilience on the Field
One of Arianna’s proudest achievements was her return to the pitch following a serious knee injury. The recovery process was gruelling, both physically and mentally, but she never wavered in her determination. “There were so many times when it would have been easy to give up,” she reflected. Living in foreign countries and feeling isolated from teammates at times only added to the challenges. Yet, despite the setbacks, Arianna never chose the “easier” path. She remained committed to proving that she could achieve her goals and ultimately succeeded in making a full recovery.
She also credits her role as a goalkeeper for shaping her confidence and leadership qualities, particularly in environments where she was the only woman, such as business courses or team leadership settings. “Goalkeeping makes you loud and not afraid to tell people what to do,” Arianna remarked, highlighting how the position helped her develop an assertive and commanding presence on and off the pitch.
Transitioning from Athlete to Entrepreneur
As her football career drew to a close, Arianna knew the transition to life beyond sport was inevitable. Unlike many athletes who struggle with this transition, she had always prepared herself for what would come next. For her, it was clear that her sporting career would end one day and she needed to prepare. Through her work with Valeur Sport, Mercury 13 and other projects, she has become a strong advocate for helping athletes to start planning their futures much earlier, before retirement or injury forces them to do so.
Arianna’s transition wasn’t just into business but into a dual role as both a footballer and sponsorship manager at Paris Saint-Germain. At PSG, she worked in marketing and sponsorship, combining her knowledge from the pitch with her business acumen. “Knowing what was happening in the locker room helped me a lot when thinking about sponsorship activations and which players should be involved,” she explained. Her firsthand experience as an athlete proved invaluable in shaping her approach to the business side of the sport. This unique blend of roles allowed her to draw on her sporting background to make strategic business decisions.
Balancing Mental and Physical Health Post-Retirement
Maintaining both mental and physical fitness after retiring from football has been a priority for Arianna. She emphasised the importance of routine and consistency, continuing to work out regularly and integrating physical activity into her daily life. “Working out is as essential to me as eating. I love eating, I don’t always love working out, but I know it is something I need to do, so I just get it done” she said, highlighting how crucial it is for her mental stability and overall well-being. Arianna spoke about how she saw many athletes struggle post-retirement, either losing their routine or gaining weight. “It’s not just about weight—it’s about how you see yourself in the mirror,” that has an impact, she explained. For her, it was about preserving the sense of discipline that professional sports had ingrained in her.
This discipline extends into her new role as a mother, where Arianna models an active lifestyle for her daughter. She joked about doing hill walks with her baby strapped to her chest, saying, “People thought I was nuts, but it’s important to me that my daughter sees me being active.” This commitment to balancing motherhood, physical health and professional success is something she continues to prioritise in her life.
Arianna’s focus on mental well-being is just as strong. She keeps a structured workout regimen to keep her mental health in check, ensuring she has time for her own fitness routine despite the demands of work and family life. “I treat my workout time as seriously as a work meeting,” she explained, noting that she schedules her gym time into her calendar to avoid conflicts. Arianna also emphasised the need for companies to understand the value of maintaining employee well-being, both physically and mentally.
The Role of Technology and the Startup World
As Arianna transitioned into entrepreneurship, she began to utilise various technologies that had also played a role in her career as an athlete. From using wearables like the WHOOP band to monitor performance to adopting digital tools for fitness tracking, technology has continued to be a key part of her routine. However, she highlighted the gap between advanced technological products and their accessibility to athletes or coaches, emphasising that many tech companies struggle to communicate their products in a way that resonates with their audience.
“Technology can be so powerful, but it needs to be user-friendly,” she said, recalling a conversation with a tech startup founder who hadn’t consulted with the performance teams of sports clubs—the very people the product was meant to serve. For Arianna, the lesson is clear: without understanding the end-user, even the most advanced tech is unlikely to make an impact.
Now, as a founder, Arianna understands the challenges of the startup world. Despite the statistics on startup failure rates, she draws inspiration from her career in football. “Becoming a professional athlete wasn’t easy either,” she pointed out. In fact, the odds of her becoming a professional female footballer when the sport wasn’t fully established were even slimmer. This perspective fuels her belief that anything is possible in the entrepreneurial world and her confidence in the face of adversity remains unwavering. “I’ve defied the odds before—why not again?” she said.
Advocacy and Inspiration
Arianna’s advocacy for women in sport continues through her work with Valeur Sport, where she is pushing for more transparency and equity in salaries across the industry. Her latest campaign, “#SayThePay,” calls for individuals and organisations to pledge their support for pay transparency, with the goal of addressing gender disparities in sports salaries. “This isn’t just about women—it’s about men too,” she emphasised, noting that transparency benefits everyone in the industry. For Arianna, this is a crucial step toward creating a more equitable landscape in sports, one where all players, regardless of gender, have access to fair opportunities.
In addition to her advocacy, Arianna draws inspiration from her family, “I want my daughter to see that she can be anything she wants to be,” she said, reflecting on the importance of setting an example through hard work and dedication. Her husband, who also works in football, is another source of inspiration. Despite the demands of startup life and motherhood, Arianna remains motivated by the people around her and the community she has built.
“Surrounding yourself with people who inspire you is key,” she noted, reflecting on how her network of supportive family, friends and colleagues helps her navigate the challenges of being both a founder and a mother. Arianna shared that even on the hardest days, this network keeps her moving forward, driving her to achieve her goals.
Looking Forward
Arianna is excited about the future, both personally and professionally. With Valeur Sport growing and her involvement in various charitable initiatives, including Street Child United, she continues to push for positive change in the sports industry. “We’re preparing for the next World Cup and the work we’re doing to support street children is something I’m really proud of,” she shared. Through this initiative, she helps provide ID cards and access to education for children from impoverished backgrounds, giving them a chance to participate in sports and improve their future prospects.
Her message to athletes, startups and anyone facing challenges is simple: celebrate the small wins and never give up. “You can’t keep talking about it—just do it,” she advised, reminding others of the importance of action over words. As she continues to navigate the startup world, Arianna remains committed to making an impact, both for herself and for future generations of women in sports.