Player mascots at this year's UEFA Champions League Final have been commemorated with a unique set of Topps trading cards, marking the first time such cards have been created for mascots. The limited-edition set features nine mascots from across Europe, including two nine-year-old girls from the UK, Zoe Geoghegan and Sadie Diggin, who were surprised with their own cards.
Each card shows the girl in her Mastercard Player Mascot kit, worn exclusively at UEFA Champions League matchdays, along with a personal message about what football means to them. Sadie Diggin, an Arsenal fan, said: 'When I opened the pack, it was such a surprise to see my own face looking back at me! I am so excited to be a mascot at the final.'
The mascot spaces at the final are given to vulnerable children from multiple charities, offering them a chance to shine and create lasting memories. All girls featured on the cards have taken part in the Girls4Football programme, a social impact initiative by Mastercard and the UEFA Foundation for Children that empowers girls aged 8-16 with football skills and financial education.
Beatrice Cornacchia of Mastercard said: 'The magic of football lives not just in the moments on the pitch... these Topps trading cards celebrate something we believe: that matchday is an unforgettable experience for fans of all ages.' The final takes place in Budapest next weekend.
