St. Xavier's Collegiate School from Kolkata has etched its name in Indian football history by becoming the first-ever youth team from the country to participate in the prestigious MADCUP Football Tournament. The fifth edition of this global grassroots football event will unfold in Madrid, Spain, in June 2025, providing a platform for the young Xaverians to showcase their talent against some of the biggest names in international youth football.
The Kolkata-based school will compete against youth teams from renowned clubs such as Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Juventus, Sevilla, River Plate, Valencia CF, and Leganés, along with other leading global academies. This participation marks a significant milestone for Indian youth football, offering invaluable exposure and experience on the world stage.
MADCUP is recognized as one of the largest federated youth football tournaments globally, organized by Atlético de Madrid, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the Government of the Community of Madrid, and the United Nations (UN) Tourism. The tournament will be hosted across 32 sports facilities in Madrid, including iconic venues like the Atlético de Madrid Sports Centre, Ciudad Deportiva del Real Madrid, and Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas.
The St. Xavier's contingent is scheduled to arrive in Madrid before the tournament kicks off on June 20th. In a historic opening match, the school's U-16 team will face Atlético de Madrid, a prestigious encounter that signifies a remarkable achievement for the Indian side. They will also compete against SO Caillolais, an associate club of Olympique Marseille, famously known for having a young Eric Cantona in its ranks.
Senior Teacher Mr. Farino Torcato expressed immense pride in the school's groundbreaking participation, stating that St. Xavier's Collegiate School's presence at MADCUP 2025 is not only a historic moment for the school but also for Indian youth football. He emphasized that the team's mission is to demonstrate to the world that they can play football 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 significant contributions from faculty members Mr. Farino Torcato and Mr. Romario Topno. 'Trak Only', the official kit partner for prominent Indian football clubs like East Bengal FC, Odisha FC, and NorthEast United FC, will be the official kit partner for St. Xavier's in the tournament. Sponsors such as Kamal's Ice Creams and ICICI Lombard have also stepped in to support this landmark journey, highlighting the vibrant footballing culture in West Bengal.
St. Xavier's Collegiate School has a rich history in Indian football, having competed in prestigious tournaments like the Durand Cup and IFA Shield multiple times before India's independence. Notably, in 1911, Mohun Bagan defeated St. Xavier's 3-0 in the first round, paving the way for their legendary IFA Shield triumph.
As Madrid, often called the 'Capital of Youth Football', eagerly anticipates the arrival of the first-ever Indian side to compete in MADCUP, this event promises to be a momentous occasion for St. Xavier's Collegiate School and Indian football. With nearly 250,000 spectators in the previous edition, MADCUP offers invaluable exposure to young players and allows them to experience advanced football technologies like Video Assistant Referees (VAR). The tournament also includes events like the Women's Gala of the Football Federation, further amplifying its global significance.
