Latest news with #youthtournament
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gatorade 5v5 Finals Bring Global Youth to Champions League Stage in Munich
Gatorade's 5v5 Fabregas Gatorade's 5v5 Mexico Gatorade's 5v5 Brazil MUNICH, Germany, May 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- There was a palpable sense of excitement in Munich as the city prepared to host the UEFA Champions League final between PSG and Inter Milan. Fans from France and Italy – and much further afield – have been gathering in the Bavarian capital for several days. But this climax to the European football season is not just about the elite senior teams - young footballers from around the world are also very much included. In the shadow of Munich's Olympic Stadium four five-a-side teams representing three countries, competed in the final stages of the Gatorade 5v5 Tournament. For the past year teams of 14–16-year-olds from around the world have been taking part in local grassroots competitions, until they were whittled down to the finalists here. In the girls' final Canada took on Mexico, while Canada's boys faced Brazil. At stake were a trophy, and tickets to see the Champions League final itself. Watching were some of their friends and families, Inter and PSG supporters filtering into the fans' Champions Festival in Munich's Olympiapark, and some of football's all-time greats. Cafu won the FIFA World Cup twice with Brazil, and he was happy to give the tournament a ringing endorsement from the sidelines of the specially constructed five-a-side pitch. He was impressed by the skills on show and told me that he also loved the way the young players embraced the values of the game. 'You have to do what you love,' he said. 'When you do what you love you play with joy and happiness.' Competition is important, he said, but winning is not everything – it was equally about participation in a game you love with team-mates you have formed close bonds with. He praised the Gatorade 5v5 Tournament for bringing diverse groups of young people together, encouraging them to exercise – and to express themselves. They were sentiments echoed by another all-time great, Cesc Fàbregas, a World Cup winner with Spain in 2010, and a UEFA Championship winner in 2008 and 2012. 'This is the perfect age to compete, but to enjoy, and to follow your dreams,' he said. 'Between 14 and 16 is the last phase before everything starts to get together. It's important for them to understand that you can compete also by having fun, and fighting for your teammates, and having that solidarity – when you take the ego out and the selfishness out and you are fighting for something collectively, I think the dream becomes much stronger.' The tournament is part of Gatorade's drive to support grassroots football, give young people around the world the chance to enjoy the thrill of playing it, and provide them with an insight into sport's power to bring people together – on and off the pitch. The tournament has been running since 2016. Gatorade believes it helps young people unite over their love for the game, and encourages youth participation. After all, the most important thing about football – like all sports – is that it is fun. Gatorade's goal is to get 2.5 million teenagers active in the program by 2030, and to expand its reach into the United States and other territories. Promoting participation in sport is key for the company, rather than it all being about winning and losing. Research suggests that girls, in particular, find an over-concentration on competition off-putting. 'There's skill, there's technique, but what we're really focusing on is just enjoying the game, enjoying the passion, and learn to build resilience, learn to build team work,' says Umi Patel, Umi Patel, Vice President Marketing Innovation and Hydration Brand, from Gatorade's parent company, Pepsi. 'It's very diverse, and that is very important to us too. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these youngsters.' The action on the pitch was fast and exciting, with the skill levels on show really high. Despite a determined second half comeback Brazil triumphed over Canada in the boys' event 7-5, while Mexico beat Canada's girls' team 5-1. The players all agreed it had been an amazing, shared adventure. 'It's a great experience, coming all the way from Canada to Munich, and it's obviously huge representing our country,' said Olivia Galati, from Toronto. 'We have learned a lot – a lot of different tricks and skills. It's not yourself you are working for, you are working for a team – we are not just individuals, we are like a family, so I think it's really meaningful.' From the boys' team Jonathan Vasquez said, 'It was a little disappointing because we lost. But it was inspirational, so I think it's really good.' Media Contact: Dean Ismail, Senior ManagerE: Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Shocking moment crazed fan runs at Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez before he gets dragged away by security
In an absolutely stunning scene, a young football fan was hauled away by security guards after he attempted to run up to Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. Messi and Suarez were spotted at the club's Florida Blue Training Center over the weekend as part of a youth tournament - the Inter Miami CF Academy's Dreams Cup. After the two sat down under a shade tent to avoid the hot Florida sun, a group of people were seen sprinting over to get a glimpse at the two football icons. One fan was seen sprinting past security guards to get to the tent, making a guard fall in the process. When he finally reached Messi, he tried to get the Argentine World Cup winner to sign some merchandise he had. Eventually, multiple security guards came over to give the 37-year-old some space from his admirers. The fan was eventually led away by security after the shocking stunt at the training ground The one fan seemed persistent, fighting back against the guards who held him away before being put in a bear hug and getting hauled off. While the fan tried to walk away by himself, security made sure to keep their hands on him and hauled him off. Ironically, another fan who was much more calm about the situation was able to slip past security and speak to both Messi and Suarez before being cast out. 2025 has not been as fruitful for Inter Miami as 2024 was. Last season, Messi & Co. won the Supporters Shield by accumulating the most points of any MLS team. But this year, Miami sits 11th in the Supporters Shield table and seventh in the Eastern Conference. Messi gave a rare post-game interview to Apple TV's Michele Giannone in Spanish after a demoralizing 3-0 loss to in-state rivals Orlando City, reflecting on his team's form. 'It's a difficult time, but we're going to come through this,' Messi said in his native language. 'Now we'll really see if we're a team. These are difficult times. When everything is going well it's very easy, but when difficult times come - like now - we have to be more united than ever, be a real team, and get through it.' Messi and Inter Miami have had a tough 2025 campaign after setting league records in 2024 The season prior, Inter Miami set the record for the best regular season in MLS history. But this year, Messi and a squad made up of former Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets and helmed by Javier Mascherano have not performed up to their standard. 'We're coming off a period of bad results,' Messi said. 'But we have to keep working and think about what´s next. 'With three or four games left in May, we (have to) finish the best possible way to be able to face the Club World Cup.' Miami drew the Philadelphia Union at the weekend and face two more matches against CF Montreal and the Columbus Crew before their break for the Club World Cup. The newly revamped Club World Cup should yield positive results for Inter Miami. The furthest they'll travel in the group stage is a few hours north to Atlanta for a match against FC Porto of Portugal. Their group stage matches against Al Ahly of Egypt and Palmeiras of Brazil will both take place in Miami.
