From 7 to 12 January, more than 640 youngsters aged from 7 to 13 will take part in the second Paris Saint-Germain Academy Cup Brazil! After a successful first year in Rio de Janeiro, the competition moves to São Paulo this year!
Last year's competition was a huge success in Rio de Janeiro, with top-level matches, visits to Corcovado and the Brazilian Seleção Museum, with the dream finals in the mythical Maracanã Stadium.
This major competition is a highlight of the 2019-2020 season bringing together young people from the Paris Saint-Germain football school network. It follows a new season of growth for the Paris Saint-Germain Academy in Brazil, with the opening in 2019 of a new site in Natal, in the north of the country. Paris Saint-Germain Academy is now present at 15 sites in 11 cities (Rio, São Paulo, Recife, Salvador, Guarulhos, Sumaré Vitória, Brasília, Porto Alegre, Natal and Vale dos Sinos). With 3,381 children, Brazil is now the second largest national contingent of the Paris Saint-Germain academies after France. During the year 2020, four new centres will be opened in Salvador, Florianópolis, Teresina and Fortaleza.
Nadia Benmokhtar, Head of the Paris Saint-Germain Academy said: "The dazzling development of our football schools in Brazil is a source of immense pride. The reputation of the club, the historical link between Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil, combined with the tremendous work of our local partners have enabled us to reach new heights. With nearly 4,000 players per season, our Academy has finally become the largest club in Brazil. The Paris Saint-Germain Academy Cup Brazil is the most beautiful symbol of this development. When you see more than 600 players wearing our colours in this magnificent stadium: The family photo is superb!"
All the teams participating in this 2nd edition of the Paris Saint-Germain Academy Cup in Brazil arrived today in São Paulo, Tuesday, 7 January, and are getting ready to start the competition. After a handing-over of equipment at their base camps, the children will attend a screening of the film "Il Campione" at the Espaço Itaú de Cinema of the Bourbon Shopping São Paulo, followed by a talk on the theme of football. Afterwards, it's off to the competition, with four fun-filled days of football at the Allianz Parque, home of Brazilian Serie A club Palmeiras. The group stages will take place from 8 to 10 January, to make way for the grand finals on 11 January.