Real Madrid has taken over Barcelona’s football academies in India, marking a significant move in the country’s youth football development. This decision comes after Barcelona announced its decision to close down all its academies in India earlier this month, leaving the future of enrolled kids uncertain.
Starting in the first week of August, Real Madrid will train 4,500 enthusiastic youngsters across 30 academies located in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune. The program, known as the Educational Football Program, will leverage Real Madrid’s world-class training methodologies and rich football heritage to inspire and develop young talent, potentially nurturing a new generation of football stars.
Emilio Butragueno, Director of Real Madrid Institutional Relations and a Real Madrid legend, expressed his excitement about bringing the club’s legacy to India. He believes this initiative will provide young players with invaluable opportunities to hone their skills.
Real Madrid’s academy has a proven track record of producing some of Spain’s finest players, including club legend Raul and FIFA World Cup 2010 winner Iker Casillas. This takeover will offer the young players in India a chance to train under the same standards that have nurtured these international stars.
The takeover brings relief to the youngsters in the academies, who will now have the opportunity to participate in prestigious international age-group tournaments like the Singa Cup (Singapore), Super Cup (Dubai), and Asia Pacific Cup (India).
Kriti Jain Gupta, Director of Conscient Sports, highlighted the collaboration’s potential to elevate the football training landscape in India, offering young players unparalleled opportunities to grow and excel. She added that select players from these academies will get the chance to train at Real Madrid’s facility in Spain, further enhancing their development.
The new coaching team will comprise professionals from the Real Madrid Foundation, Conscient Football (Real Madrid’s exclusive partner in India), and multiple Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and All India Football Federation (AIFF) licensed coaches, ensuring a comprehensive and high-quality training experience.
