Competing against top youth teams from around the world, the Indian U12 team displayed composure and control throughout the tournament. They secured a 3-0 victory over Brazil in the final, combining tactical discipline with attacking skill.

This victory is significant due to the tournament’s high status and European club hosting, highlighting the progress of grassroots football in India and setting a new standard for youth development in the country.

The annual tournament took place during Easter week and featured over 80 teams and more than 1,000 players across U10, U12, and U14 categories, representing Europe, North America, South America, and South Asia. Events were held at Real Madrid’s Sports City, where participants competed on pitches used by global stars such as Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

India’s performance was notable not only for the U12 championship but also for the consistency and competitive quality shown. The Indian U14 team reached the semi-finals, losing to Italy by a narrow margin, with Italy scoring a late decisive goal.

Both teams demonstrated significant talent and resilience against high-level international competition, contributing to India’s strong showing overall.

The squads included players from Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, part of the Conscient Sports programme. Their path to victory featured wins over teams from Spain, Germany, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, the USA, Canada, Malaysia, Azerbaijan, and Morocco, highlighting the tournament’s global competitiveness.

Brazilian and Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos attended as the official ambassador, engaging with players and inspiring the young footballers.