In a significant shift in the football landscape, Real Madrid Foundation has announced that it will assume control of Barcelona’s football academies in India after the latter’s unexpected closure earlier this month. Starting from the first week of August, Real Madrid will embark on a mission to train 4,500 eager young footballers across 30 academies situated in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune, all part of their comprehensive Educational Football Program.
Emilio Butragueno, a club legend and currently the Director of Real Madrid Institutional Relations, expressed his excitement about this new venture: “We are thrilled to introduce Real Madrid Foundation’s illustrious football heritage and superior training methodologies to the Indian subcontinent. This initiative is designed to nurture and inspire the young football talent here, paving the way for the next generation of football superstars.”
Real Madrid Foundation Football Program, has a storied track record of producing some of the best talent in Spanish football, including illustrious figures such as Raul and FIFA World Cup 2010 champion Iker Casillas.
Earlier this month, FC Barcelona took to its official website to inform that it would be shutting down its academies in India, creating uncertainty for many young players previously enrolled. “FC Barcelona has notified families in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Pune that operations will cease as Barca Academies from July 1, 2024,” the statement confirmed. It also mentioned that Barcelona’s involvement in India began in 2010, offering thousands of youngsters the chance to learn the beautiful game in the renowned Barca style, steeped in the club’s core values.
The takeover by Real Madrid Foundation is poised to bring a sense of relief to the affected youth, as they will now have the opportunity to partake in prestigious international youth tournaments including the Singa Cup in Singapore, the Super Cup in Dubai, and the Asia Pacific Cup hosted in India.
Kriti Jain Gupta, Director of Conscient Sports, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “This partnership will transform the football training scene in India, providing unparalleled opportunities for young players to develop and shine on both national and international stages.”
Furthermore, select players from the new Football Program will have the opportunity to travel to Spain for the prestigious RMF Clinic and Challenge Cup, which will be held at Real Madrid’s state-of-the-art facilities.
The incoming coaching team will include seasoned professionals from the Real Madrid Foundation alongside certified coaches licensed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF), in collaboration with Conscient Football, the exclusive partner of Real Madrid in India.
