India Under-12 team wins Real Madrid Foundation World Challenge in Spain
India’s Under-12 football team, represented by Conscient Sports, clinched the Real Madrid Foundation World Challenge title in Spain with a commanding 3-0 win over Brazil, marking a major milestone for Indian grassroots football on the global youth stage.
Hyderabad: In a landmark moment for Indian grassroots football, the India under-12 team, represented by Conscient Sports, has emerged as champions at the prestigious Real Madrid Foundation World Challenge, held at the iconic training complex of Real Madrid in Madrid, Spain.
Competing against some of the best youth teams from across the globe, the Indian team delivered a composed and commanding performance throughout the tournament. Facing leading footballing nations, the team combined tactical discipline with attacking flair to secure a decisive 3-0 victory over Brazil in a gripping final.
The annual tournament, conducted during Easter week, brought together over 80 teams and more than 1,000 young players across Under-10, 12 and 14 age groups, representing regions including Europe, North America, South America and South Asia.
Hosted at Real Madrid’s famed Sports City, the event offers young athletes a rare opportunity to compete on the same pitches graced by global stars such as Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.
The Indian Under-14 contingent also progressed to the semi-finals, going down to Italy in a nail-biting five-goal thriller, with Italy scoring the decisive goal late in the second half.
The Indian squads, comprising players from Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, represented a unified national effort as part of the Conscient Sports program. Their journey to the top included notable victories against teams from Spain, Germany, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, the USA, Canada, Malaysia, Azerbaijan and Morocco, underscoring the global competitiveness of the event.
Adding to the prestige of the tournament, Brazil and Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos attended as the official ambassador, interacting with players and inspiring the next generation of football talent.
Started in 2010, Conscient Sports has worked for the past 15 years to bring globally acclaimed training methodologies to India, combining structured coaching, international exposure and value-driven development. With its strategic partnership with the Real Madrid Foundation, the programme currently trains over 7,000 players across India. This championship victory is firmly rooted in this strategic partnership and stands as a clear outcome of this long-term, system-led approach to nurturing young talent.
Sharing her insights, Kriti Jain Gupta, Director, Conscient Sports said, “This victory at the Real Madrid Foundation World Challenge is a deeply proud moment not just for Conscient Sports, but for Indian grassroots football as a whole. What makes this achievement truly special is the journey behind it. These young players have come through a structured, long-term development pathway built on consistency, discipline and a love for the game.
