Sports, April 7: .India’s Under-12 football team clinched the title at the Real Madrid Foundation World Challenge in Madrid, defeating Brazil 3-0 in the final at Real Madrid Sports City.
The Indian side maintained control throughout the tournament, combining disciplined defending with effective attacking play against strong international opponents. The victory in the final capped an unbeaten campaign and marked a significant milestone for Indian football at the grassroots level.
The tournament featured more than 80 teams and over 1,000 players across Under-10, Under-12 and Under-14 categories, with participation from regions including Europe, North America, South America and South Asia. Organised annually during Easter week by the Real Madrid Foundation, the competition is regarded as a key platform for emerging talent.
India’s overall performance extended beyond the U-12 triumph. The Under-14 team advanced to the semi-finals before losing to Italy in a closely fought match decided by a late goal. Both squads delivered consistent performances against teams from countries such as Spain, Germany, Uruguay, Mexico, the United States, Canada and Morocco.
The players were selected from multiple cities, including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, under the Conscient Sports programme. Their performances across categories highlighted the growing standards of youth development and exposure to international competition.
Former Brazil international Roberto Carlos attended the event as an ambassador, interacting with participants during the tournament.
