Real Madrid opens world's largest football academy in China

Starting this season Chinese fans can now enjoy the largest football complex in the world. Thanks to the collaboration between the Real Madrid Foundation, the Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande and Soxna, more than 3,000 boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 18 will improve their football technique based on Real Madrid's training method and the sporting values that the Real Madrid Foundation champions. Florentino Perez, the Real Madrid president, and the players Kaká, Pepe, Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of this important inauguration. Located to the north of the city of Guangzhou, in the greater urban area of Qingyuan, it is expected to receive over 10,000 children in eight years.

Real Madrid opened a football academy in China

The Real Madrid president stressed that it is an important step in Spain's relationship with China, where interest in football continues to grow. “I'm convinced that this collaboration will contribute to raising the level of football in China and will spread all the values that surround sport. We will fulfil a dream that began last year and in which we have been working for several months, creating the largest training academy in the world. I am grateful for your contribution to guaranteeing the project's success”.

The message from the Whites footballers aroused great interest and excitement among the thousands of fans that attended the inauguration. “Football is fun and teamwork. In the Evergrande-Real Madrid Foundation academy you will learn sporting values”. The event was also attended by top-level officials from the Chinese government who travelled directly from Beijing, considering this academy a prime example of a national project for the development of football in China.

The sports complex where the football academy is located is a school built by the Evergrande group where regulated teaching will be offered (primary and secondary school). It also includes 26 football fields that over the course of the year will be increased to 76.