Cristian Volpato licenses an AI twin
‘Synthetic twin’: Why Socceroo Cristian Volpato is the latest footballer to license his AI clone
Sunday, 25 October 2026
Photo by Glen Carrie on Unsplash
Warm-up
- What images of athletes do brands use most often?
- Would you trust advice from an AI version of a sports star? Why?
- How should athletes control their online image?
Vocabulary
- licence
- to give official permission for someone to use your image, name or work
- likeness
- a picture or model that looks like a particular person
- biometric
- related to body data such as face, voice or movement patterns
- monetise
- to make money from something
- clone
- an exact copy of a person or thing
- billboard
- a very large outdoor sign used for advertising
- regulation
- an official rule made by a government or authority
- exclusive
- available to only one person or company, not shared with others
Reading
Listen to this story
British EnglishCristian Volpato, a 22-year-old Socceroo who plays for Italian Serie A club Sassuolo, has agreed a deal to licence his AI image. A social video shows him walking through an atrium before four digital clones appear in different places, including the Twelve Apostles. One version smiles in a grey suit; another fills a giant digital billboard.
In mid-September he signed with California-based Callandor, which received exclusive rights to his digital likeness, voice, biometric profiles and performance data. The company will monetise his clone through brand deals and help restrict content that he does not approve. Co-founder Michael Fisk calls these creations "synthetic twins".
Callandor, founded in February, also represents Brazilian footballer Jorginho and American sailor Chris Poole. It is testing ideas such as foreign-language voiceovers and fan apps that simulate one-to-one advice. In June, Neymar licensed his AI likeness to a Chinese-owned platform for short World Cup videos. Governments across the world are considering basic regulation of AI image rights.
Comprehension
- Which club does Cristian Volpato play for?
- What rights did Callandor receive in the deal?
- How does Callandor plan to monetise Volpato’s clone?
- Which other athletes work with Callandor?
- Who licensed an AI likeness in June and for what purpose?
Grammar focus
Mixed conditionals
Two mixes: 1) If + past perfect, result NOW: would + base. 2) If + past simple (now), PAST result: would have + past participle. Use now vs a past time to decide. (Examples constructed.)
- If he had refused the deal, brands wouldn't use his twin now.
- If rules were tougher today, some posts would have vanished.
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence using "would".
- If Callandor were newer, Volpato (not/sign) ___ in September.
- If Neymar had refused it, sponsors (not/offer) ___ deals now.
- If governments were ready today, rules (apply) ___ in June.
- If rights had been limited, creators (have) ___ control now.
- If fan apps were cheap now, fans (download) ___ one in June.
Discussion
- What benefits and risks do AI clones create for athletes?
- Should athletes have exclusive control of their digital likeness? Why?
- Would fan apps with AI advice be useful or misleading? Explain.
- How strict should regulation of AI image rights be?
Vocabulary, reading, and exercises with instant feedback
Spotted a mistake in this lesson? Tell us.