Breaking Barriers and Inspiring Change: The Journey of Manuela Nicolosi
When it comes to pioneering women in traditionally male-dominated fields, Manuela Nicolosi stands out as a remarkable figure. Her journey—from making history in international football refereeing to empowering individuals and organisations through leadership and personal development—is nothing short of inspiring. In this article, we explore the multifaceted career of Manuela Nicolosi, her achievements, education, entrepreneurial ventures, and her ongoing mission to inspire and lead.
Who is Manuela Nicolosi?
Manuela Nicolosi is a trailblazer who has shattered the glass ceiling in the world of football officiating. Born in 1980, she is an Italian-born referee who holds dual nationality as Italian and French. Over the past 15 years, she has officiated in some of the most prestigious football tournaments globally, including men’s and women’s matches, the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Women’s World Cups, and two Olympic Games.
But Nicolosi’s achievements are not confined to the football pitch. She is also a highly experienced business manager, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and founder of WINSPIRE – Inspire to Win, a coaching and training company aimed at helping people reach their full potential.
Early Life and Education
Manuela Nicolosi was born on January 18, 1980, in Rome, Italy. From an early age, she demonstrated determination and resilience, qualities that would later define her career. After completing her initial education in Italy, Nicolosi pursued higher education with a strong focus on business and management.
Her academic background is impressive and international. She earned a Bachelor’s degree with honours in International Business Administration and Management from Groupe ESC Troyes, where she was the first Italian student to obtain the double degree. She continued her studies with a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Management at Università degli studi Roma TRE, specialising in advanced statistics.
Furthering her education, Nicolosi obtained an Executive Master in Finance and Controlling from Bologna Business School. She also expanded her expertise in international economics, marketing, strategy, and finance at the prestigious London Business School. This blend of rigorous academic training and global exposure provided a strong foundation for her business and leadership roles.
Breaking Barriers in Football Refereeing
Manuela Nicolosi’s name became synonymous with breaking stereotypes in the male-dominated sport of football. Her career as a top-level football assistant referee began over 15 years ago. She quickly established herself as a skilled and reliable official, earning appointments to some of the highest-profile games worldwide.
Historic Milestones in Football
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UEFA Super Cup 2019: Nicolosi was the first Italian female referee to officiate in the men’s UEFA Super Cup final, overseeing the match between Liverpool and Chelsea in Istanbul. This historic game was watched by nearly two billion viewers worldwide, marking a significant moment for gender equality in football officiating.
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Women’s World Cup Final 2019: She was the first Italian woman to referee the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, held between the USA and the Netherlands in Lyon, in front of 58,000 spectators and millions on television.
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Olympic Games: Nicolosi also officiated in the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, one of only twelve UEFA referees selected for these prestigious events, highlighting her exceptional physical, mental, and technical capabilities.
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Ligue 1 and Kings League: Her expertise extends to France’s top-tier men’s league, Ligue 1, where she was part of the first ever all-female officiating trio in a match. She is also involved in the Kings League Italia and the Kings World Cup Clubs 2025 in Paris, expanding her influence across various football platforms.
WINSPIRE – Inspire to Win: Empowering Personal Growth
Beyond the football pitch, Manuela Nicolosi is a passionate entrepreneur and founder of WINSPIRE – Inspire to Win, a company dedicated to helping individuals unlock their potential and live the life they deserve.
Mission and Services
WINSPIRE offers coaching and transformative training in key areas such as:
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Conscious Leadership
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Effective Decision-Making
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High-Impact Communication
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Personal Growth and Wellbeing
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Reverse Aging and Psycho-Physical Wellness
This innovative approach integrates mental and physical development strategies to help clients break through their limits and achieve extraordinary results. The target audience ranges from young adults to mid-career professionals who seek to enhance their energy, resilience, and authentic leadership.
Biohacking and Wellness
Nicolosi also embraces biohacking techniques, promoting a holistic approach to wellbeing that combines cutting-edge science with practical lifestyle changes. She specifically focuses on helping women improve their physical and mental health, encouraging empowerment from within.
Author and Speaker: Roi Edizioni and TEDx
Manuela Nicolosi extends her influence through writing and public speaking. In 2024, she published her book Decido Io: Dal Sogno alla Supercoppa – Il coraggio di rompere gli schemi (“I Decide: From Dream to Supercup – The Courage to Break the Rules”), sharing her journey and lessons learned from breaking barriers in football and business.
She is a sought-after motivational speaker and a recognized TEDx speaker, delivering talks on topics such as resilience, leadership under pressure, and transforming challenges into opportunities. Her compelling storytelling and actionable insights inspire audiences worldwide to embrace courageous decision-making and lead with clarity.
Roles at Ministère des Sports, de la Jeunesse et de la Vie associative and DAZN
Manuela’s influence extends into the realm of sports governance and media.
Ministère des Sports, de la Jeunesse et de la Vie associative
She is a valued member of the French Ministry of Sports’ network focused on promoting Francophonie within sport. As part of this delegation, Nicolosi contributes to advancing French-speaking influence in sports at national and international levels, supporting young athletes and officials.
DAZN Talent
Nicolosi also collaborates with DAZN, a global sports streaming service, where she contributes as a talent, bringing her unique expertise in football officiating and sports leadership to a broad audience.
Professional Experience Beyond Football
Before and alongside her refereeing career, Manuela Nicolosi held key managerial roles in the corporate sector.
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She worked for Stanley Black & Decker as Manager of Europe Finance & Controlling, honing her skills in project management, financial controlling, and corporate finance.
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At PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), she managed finance and performance improvement projects, specialising in change management and business process optimisation.
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Early in her career, she was an internal auditor at Conforama, gaining hands-on experience in financial analysis and auditing.
This blend of high-level corporate experience and elite sports officiating makes Nicolosi uniquely equipped to advise CEOs, CFOs, and leaders on managing pressure, optimising performance, and making courageous decisions.
Personal Life and Language Skills
Manuela Nicolosi lives in France and is fluent in Italian, French, English, and Spanish. While she prefers to keep her personal life private, she is known to be a devoted mother to her daughter, Celeste.
Her multilingual abilities and cross-cultural experiences enrich her coaching and speaking engagements, allowing her to connect authentically with diverse audiences worldwide.
Conclusion
Manuela Nicolosi is more than just a pioneering football referee. She embodies the spirit of breaking barriers, leading with courage, and inspiring transformation. Through her multifaceted career—as a referee, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, author, and corporate leader—she continues to motivate individuals and organisations to reach new heights.
Her story reminds us that with determination, education, and resilience, we can transcend traditional boundaries and build the lives we dream of. Whether on the football pitch or in the boardroom, Manuela Nicolosi leads by example, proving that true victory lies in becoming the best version of ourselves.
