"Valencia CF Academy World Cup week is my favourite week"

Great goals, great saves and great assists. That's what the Valencia CF Academy World Cup is all about - the U12 tournament that brought together 15 teams from the VCF Academy Programs across the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania last week, providing an unforgettable experience for players and their families at the Ciudad Deportiva.

Beyond the trophies won by VCF Camps Belgium in the main competition, and by VCF Academy Houston (USA), VCF Academy Adelaide (Australia) and VCF Academy Morelia (Mexico) in the Valentía, Sentiment and Germanor categories, the tournament also recognised some of its standout performers with individual awards.

"I feel very good because it's the first time I've received an award like this in such an important tournament," said Maurice NGolok, whose two goals and assist in the final gave VCF Camps Belgium the title. He was also named the tournament's MVP and received a jersey signed by Valencia CF captain Gayà as a souvenir.

"I'm going to show it to all my classmates. Gayà is my favourite Valencia CF player. I'm sure they'll be very happy for me," said Maurice, wrapped in the Belgian flag.

Filip Todea, the Dinamo Star SE goalkeeper, was also very pleased after his team finished as runners-up this time.

"Valencia CF Academy World Cup week is my favourite week. Playing with children from other countries, sharing these days with goalkeepers from other teams and being chosen as the best one makes me feel very good," concluded Filip.

And from one goal to the other, this time to score goals like the ones Leo Girbés scored to become the top scorer of the fifth Valencia CF Academy World Cup.

"For me, receiving this recognition and this commemorative ball means great joy and has great value," said Leo Girbés.

"We had built a good team and we had a good tournament, but we weren't lucky," added Leo, whose Escoles VCF side were knocked out on penalties in the semi-finals by Dinamo Star SE.   

Maurice, Filip and Leo now become part of the select group of standout players from the Valencia CF Academy World Cup, a tournament they will surely remember fondly if, in a few years' time, they reach professional football.

The Valencia CF Academy World Cup and the Players Week, together with the VCF Camps, the VCF Academies, the Technical Partners, the Coaches Convention, Clinics and the Training Experience, are just some of the initiatives that make up the VCF Academy Programs, which bring together more than 5,000 players from over 50 countries every year.