16-06-2025
St. Xavier's Collegiate School Becomes 1st Indian Youth Team To Play In MADCUP
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St. Xavier's Collegiate School will play against Atletico Madrid & SO Caillolais with other clubs being Real Madrid, Juventus, Sevilla, River Plate and Valencia.
St Xavier's Collegiate School, Kolkata, has made history by becoming the first Indian youth team to officially participate in the iconic MADCUP Football Tournament 2025.
This marks the fifth edition of the world's largest federated international grassroots football tournament. The prestigious event, hosted across 32 sporting facilities in Madrid, including renowned venues such as the Atlético de Madrid Sports Centre, Ciudad Deportiva del Real Madrid, and Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas, begins in Spain on 20 June.
This represents a significant moment for Indian youth football on the global stage. The young team from Kolkata will compete against youth teams from some of the biggest names in world football, including Real Madrid CF, Atlético de Madrid, Juventus FC, Sevilla FC, CA River Plate, Valencia CF, CD Leganés, and other leading global academies from approximately 40 countries across five continents.
In a truly historic opening group game, the team from India will face the host club, Atlético de Madrid. They are also scheduled to compete against SO Caillolais, an associate club of Olympique Marseille. This participation continues St Xavier's long-standing football legacy, which includes competing in historic Indian tournaments like the Durand Cup and IFA Shield before India's independence.
Speaking about the team's historic participation, Senior Teacher, Farino Torcato, said, 'St Xavier's Collegiate School, Kolkata, India participating in the MADCUP 2025 is not only a historic moment for the school but for Indian youth football as well." He mentioned that while winning the tournament isn't the primary goal, the Xavierians are determined to demonstrate their football prowess to the world and will strive to make their school, city, state, and country proud.
The school's participation has been meticulously coordinated by the Father Principal and Vice Principal, with Mr Farino Torcato and Mr Romario Topno playing pivotal roles. 'Trak Only', the official kit partner for prominent Indian football clubs, will serve as the official kit partner for St Xavier's. The journey is also supported by generous sponsors, Kamal's Ice Creams and ICICI Lombard.
Organised by Atlético de Madrid, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the Government of the Community of Madrid, and UN Tourism, the tournament draws nearly 250,000 spectators.
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