LaLiga FC Futures has already started: “It is the best children’s tournament in the world”
LThe ball hasn’t started rolling yet but LaLiga FC Futures 2024 is already underway. The XXXI Edition of the national 7-a-side soccer tournament started this afternoon with the presentation of the 20 participating teams at a party at the Estadio de la Cerámica. From the first day we began to notice the color of a fan that will accompany the little footballers throughout the weekend.
One by one all the outfits were paraded in order of seniority. From Athletic Club to Almería, passing through the big favorites Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético and the host, Villarreal. Accompanied by flags with their colors, the 20 participating teams posed for the media cameras and received applause from the stands. The excited faces of the little ones had nothing to envy those of their fathers and mothers.
The first to speak after the parade was José Ramón de la Morena, president of the JRM Foundation and organizer of the Tournament together with LaLiga. “This is the best children’s tournament in the world. When in a few years you play in the first division, you win a title, a League, a Cup… The Champions League… Or when you join the National Team and hopefully one day you win a World Cup… So, you will remember this moment,” said José Ramón while remembering the names of some footballers who went through the Tournament as children before winning the World Cup. But he did not want to say goodbye without reminding the children that “more important than being good soccer players is that you are good people.”
When in a few years you play in the first division, you win a title, a League, a Cup… The Champions League… Or when you join the National Team and hopefully one day you win a World Cup… Then, you will remember this moment
Javier Gomezcorporate director of LaLiga, took over from De la Morena to thank Villarreal and ASCALE as a sponsor, the possibility of repeating in a venue like La Cerámica: “For the second year we are going to enjoy the youth teams of our clubs in this fantastic Estadio de la Cerámica. We are sure to see the quality of our kids.”
Three the oath carried out by César Barrenechea Montero (on behalf of the referees), Ainara García of Deportivo Alavés (representing the technical bodies) and Íñigo Chacón del Rayo (representing the teams), it was the turn of Fernando Roig (President Villarreal CF): “We are proud that we have been organizing the tournament for many years. To the parents, may you have a spectacular weekend in Villarreal. To the players, may you enjoy it and have a good time playing without any more pressure than that we will have as fans”.
Surprise video with messages of encouragement
To finish the presentation, a surprise video in which players and coaches from the First Division teams encouraged all the teams. From Marcelino, who was the first to cheer on the local team, through Ancelotti, Baraja, Giráldez, Quique Sánchez Flores, García Pimienta, Balde, Iago Aspas… Until the Cholo Simeone who launched the most forceful message of the afternoon to the laughter of the audience: “You have to win no matter what. It doesn’t matter how you play”. A few hours before the ball starts rolling, we will see who listens to the Atlético coach and wins LaLiga FC Futures 2024.
