Renowned former Spanish national football team coach Vicente del Bosque made headlines this past weekend during his visit to Gran Canaria, coinciding with the quarter-finals of LaLiga FC Futures, a youth football tournament showcasing young talent from across the globe. The event, held at the Ciudad Deportiva de Maspalomas, provided the perfect backdrop for Del Bosque to promote the values of sportsmanship and personal development inherent to the beautiful game.
Accompanied by Rafael Louzán, the president of the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF), Del Bosque attended various events throughout the weekend, including meetings with local football officials and attending the exciting matches of the tournament. Louzán’s visit to the headquarters of the Federación Interinsular de Fútbol de Las Palmas (FIFLP) reflected efforts to support grassroots football development across the region.
After discussions with club presidents including José Juan Arencibia of the Federation of Las Palmas, Del Bosque and Louzán traveled to watch the 'Copa H2exagon' — another football event focused on promoting youth sports. During their time at the Municipal Las Palmitas field and later at the Ciudad Deportiva, the pair met with local club officials and community leaders, including Francisco García, the mayor of Santa Lucía de Tirajana, complimenting the support for youth football initiatives.
Rafael Louzán commented, “This visit is important for the FIFLP. The new president of the RFEF has been able to see how our federation operates, engage with grassroots club presidents, and understand their needs firsthand.” Del Bosque expressed satisfaction with his time on the island, saying, “I am very happy to have visited and see the work being done by the federative entity. I have full confidence in José Juan Arencibia and the work he will accomplish at RFEF.”
The focus of the weekend was on the XXVIII International Tournament of LaLiga FC Futures, which has made its mark as a key fixture during the winter festivities. This year’s edition took on special importance as it featured teams from both Europe and America, showcasing 16 clubs with talented young players under the age of 13. The tournament kicked off with exciting matches, including notable clashes like Valencia CF versus UD Las Palmas. Yet, it was the local team, Las Palmas, who saw their hopes dashed during penalties against Real Betis.
Despite the pressure of the penalties, the young players showed resilience. The loss brought notable attention to the squad, especially the captain, Jadiel Moreno, whose emotional display after missing the final penalty captured the hearts of many on social media. The budding talents of the Fundación UD Las Palmas were highlighted by their coach, Alex Muñoz, whose team remained unbeaten until the quarter-finals.
Vicente del Bosque, recalling his own experiences, emphasized to the participative youth the importance of character development through sports. “It’s not only about playing; football teaches you to be good individuals, instills values, and encourages positive behavior both on and off the pitch,” he remarked during his interactions with the children. His intentions were clear: instilling the significance of sportsmanship and the right attitude toward competition among the youth.
The tournament's significance was amplified by the attendance of former football personalities, such as Ángel María Villar, and the active LaLiga referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who officiated the matches. The sharing of wisdom and encouragement from established figures like Del Bosque highlighted the bridging of experience between generations.
The entire event was framed as part of Gran Canaria’s commitment to youth sports development, with significant backing from local tourism and sports authorities. Carlos Álamo, the tourism counselor for Gran Canaria, noted, “What we have here is not just another tournament; it’s about showcasing the joys of sports and the potential of our young athletes.”
The XXVIII LaLiga FC Futures event is broadcasted internationally, which not only enhances its profile but also reinforces Gran Canaria as a premier destination for sporting events due to its favorable climate and facilities. The excitement surrounding youth tournaments like this one reflects hopes for the future of football, with young players potentially becoming tomorrow’s stars.
Looking forward, there is optimism about how these events can shape the futures of aspiring footballers, backed by the continued engagement of football legends like Vicente del Bosque. The overarching sentiment is clear – the lessons imparted today may well shape the future of football tomorrow.