English – MICFootball

This coming Sunday, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF will battle for the LALIGA title in a clash that always delivers historic moments. However, this rivalry begins in the youth categories, and at MICFootball we have witnessed thrilling matches between the two academies.

Barça and Madrid youth teams have faced each other on nine occasions on the Costa Brava, in high-level matches that decided the U12A MIC category winners. The Blaugrana have won six of the nine finals, while Los Blancos have claimed victory in three.

The most recent meeting took place a month ago in Palamós, where Barça were crowned champions thanks to a headed goal by Marc Ribera. The match featured several promising names worth keeping an eye on: Martín Casillas, Ethan Balboa and David Sánchez for Real Madrid; Destiny Kosiso, Hugo Galdeano and Pedro Juárez for Barcelona.

And the story began here. Gavi and Gonzalo García, two of the players set to take part in this Sunday’s match, know what it means to play in a Clásico at MICFootball. In the image, both academy players were defending their club colors in the 2016 final, which FC Barcelona won 2-0.

In addition, Alejandro Balde, Eric Garcia, Xavi Simons, Sergio Reguilón, Miguel Gutiérrez and Pablo Barrios are other notable names who played a Clásico in the tournament where the stars of the future are born and later reached the highest level of world football.

Throughout its history, MICFootball has showcased the talent of young players who, a few years later, would go on to become global football stars. Leo Messi, Neymar Jr., Carvajal, Rodri, and Lamine Yamal are just some of the stars who shone on the Costa Brava. But it’s not just the players who impress the world and kick off their professional careers here; there are coaches who also leave a permanent mark.

In 2001, during the first edition of the MIC in the Canary Islands, Guillermo Hoyos traveled to the tournament hoping to succeed in a competition that was making its debut. The Argentinian coach was managing CE Mataró at the time, and although they didn’t win the trophy, the team clearly reflected Hoyos’s style.

A few years later, during the 2003–04 season, Guillermo Hoyos joined FC Barcelona’s youth academy as head coach of the Juvenil B team. It was then that he first coached a young player named Leo Messi, who was already making a name for himself in the Blaugrana jersey.

Guillermo Hoyos has coaching experience in various countries, including Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Bolivia, Greece, and Cyprus. However, football brought him back to MICFootball as a Sporting Director with the Inter Miami CF U19 team in 2025 and 2026, with the team being eliminated in a penalty shootout in both appearances.

Just a few days after this 24th edition of the tournament, in which Hoyos participated, the Argentinian is the new head coach of Inter Miami CF’s first team following Javier Mascherano’s departure. In doing so, Guillermo is reunited with a fellow countryman and friend, Leo Messi, with whom he took his first steps in football and with whom he is sure to share great moments in the final stage of his outstanding career.

Photo: Inter Miami CF

Atlético de Madrid secured the double this morning in Palamós with their U18 team’s 1-0 victory over Real Betis.

After a tentative opening few minutes, the Madrid side took control of the game and created the best chances, forcing Betis goalkeeper Víctor Cristian Kroes into action. It wasn’t until the 41st minute that Gonzalo Benito scored the first and decisive goal of the final.

With this title, Atlético now boasts 12 trophies in this prestigious tournament. Atlético striker Brayan de la Cruz was the competition’s top scorer with 8 goals.

UE Quart, a team from the province of Girona, has made history by defeating Deportivo Alavés (1-0) in the final of the 24th edition of the MIC that took place at the Vilatenim Stadium in Figueres.

The current squad that has been proclaimed champion of the U19, has most of the players who won the U18 category last year. The author of the goal, Eudald Morell, was already one of the scorers in the 2025 final, and today he gave the title to his team with a shot from a corner kick.

The Girona team has won all the matches of the tournament and is crowned for the second time in the history of the MIC.

The U16 final at MICFootball 2026 pitted the same teams against each other in the opening friendly match last Wednesday, with Barça securing a 1-0 victory in Vilatenim. Today, the title was decided at the Palamós Municipal Stadium, where Barça emerged victorious after a comeback win against AS Roma (2-1).

Despite having faced each other days ago, the atmosphere today was very different, befitting a MIC final. The Italian side took the lead in the first minute with a goal from Jacopo Vasta. Barça quickly equalized in the 10th minute thanks to a goal from their captain, Hugo Garcés. In the second half, Barça’s dominance overwhelmed the Italians, and Artem Rybak scored the winning goal in the 31st minute.

With this victory, Barça has now won its fourth title in the U16 category in the last five years.

A single goal was enough for Rayo Vallecano to defeat Atlético de Madrid in the U15 final.

The Madrid derby was one of the most evenly matched finals in recent years, played with high intensity but few clear-cut chances for either side. The decisive 1-0 came five minutes from time, in the clearest opportunity of the game. A great passing move inside the area was finished off by David Sánchez. Atlético pressed until the final whistle, but couldn’t find an equalizer.

This is the first MIC title in Rayo Vallecano’s history, who reached the final after eliminating UE Figueres in the semifinals.

Goals from J’Chemaro Severin (2) and Luuk Stinissen, in the second half, allowed AFC Ajax to defeat New York SC and thus be crowned champions of the MICFootball U13 category in the final played in Figueres.

After a fairly even first half, Severin broke the deadlock by finishing off a great team move from inside the penalty area. Two minutes later, the Dutch striker scored his second goal to provide some breathing room, and the decisive goal came in the 35th minute.

Ajax U13 began the tournament with a group stage defeat against UE Quart (2-1), but from then on they demonstrated their full potential, overcoming Taby (3-0) and TSF Academy (6-0) to advance to the Final Phase. Once there, they eliminated Olympique de Marseille in the quarterfinals (1-2) and Valencia in the semifinals (on penalties). And in the final, their solid performance secured them the championship.

The first final on Sunday was played in Palamós, at the Municipal Stadium, and saw Atlético de Madrid crowned champions of the U14 category after defeating LA Galaxy in a narrow 1-0 victory.

The only goal of the match came in the first half, scored by Marco Zoran Ivackovic. Atlético controlled the game in the second half, but in the final play, the North American side had a chance to force penalties, which was saved by goalkeeper Hugo Molina.

With this victory, the Madrid team successfully defended their title from last year in this category. Daniel Antonio Ortega’s side reached the final after finishing first in their group and eliminating teams such as Juventus FC and FC Andorra. Justin Díaz, forward for LA Galaxy, was the top scorer of the U14 tournament with 9 goals.

Valencia Féminas CF have been crowned champions in the women’s (F16) category after defeating Futfem Talents Academy (0-1).

Bárbara Igual scored the winning goal. The Valencia team had a flawless tournament, scoring 19 goals and conceding none in 5 matches. This is Valencia’s first trophy in the women’s category at MICFootball.

In the U12A category, Barça has defeated Madrid in the “mini Clasico” of Spanish youth football.

The match was decided by a goal from Marc Ribera in the first half. Two years later, the Blaugrana revalidate the title of this category and become number 25 in their MIC honours.