It will probably not have as much media coverage as the UEFA EURO, but the truth is that, for some time now, the Asian Cup has raised its level thanks to some national teams such as Japan or Saudi Arabia, which dignified their participation in the last World Cup. In fact, Qatar, the host country of the last World Cup, had been simmering for years different generations of players for the 2022 World Cup through the Aspire Academy project. Among all the Qatari players who passed through this soccer factory with the aim of getting the chance of a lifetime, one name stood out above the rest: Akram Afif.

At that time, the best youth academies in Spanish football became aware of Aspire’s intentions and signed different collaboration agreements with them to temporarily incorporate some Qatari players in their youth teams. Then, Sevilla FC recruited Afif, who, due to bureaucratic issues, could not be officially signed and was limited to participating in tournaments such as MICFootball. At the Costa Brava, Afif impressed everyone with two goals in the opening match of the 2013 edition, which was played at the Estadi de Palamós.

Two years after his explosion at the MIC, the young Qatari player made his debut with the senior national team and began his professional career at Al-Sadd before making the leap to European football, where he played for KAS Eupen, Villarreal CF, and Sporting Gijón. With the European adventure under his belt, Afif returned to the club where he grew up and raised his football level with Xavi Hernández as coach.

On February 10, 2024, in a final to remember against Jordan, Afif won the 2024 Asian Cup with Qatar. The Qatari star scored eight goals in the competition, three of them in the final, which helped his team winning the title and crowned him the tournament’s MVP. Stories like his inspire the path of youngsters who, like Afif at the MIC 2013, have dreams of becoming stars in football.

 

 

With less than 50 days to go until the start of the 22nd edition of MICFootball, the organizers are closing the registration period for the 9 categories of the competition. This year, the response and interest of the teams has been the key to build a tournament with record numbers in terms of participants, teams, and countries.

The U12B and U13 categories will have 48 teams, while 28 teams will participate in the U12A. Up to 76 teams will compete in the U14 and U16 categories, while U15 will have 52 teams. Also U18 and U19 categories will have 44 and 32 teams respectively. The female category, F19, will have a total of 8 teams.

Now, all the excitement is focused on the group stage draw, which will be streamed live on MICFootball’s YouTube channel on 22 February at 6pm CET. Once the teams know their opponents, it will be time to set everything up for an exciting week of football.

The date of the draw for this year’s MIC Group Stage has been confirmed. On February 22, teams and fans will know who they will face in what promises to be a historic edition.

The 9 categories will be drawn, and everyone can follow it live on the MICFootball YouTube channel from 6pm (CET).

MICFootball is a unique experience that not everyone can experience more than once. However, there are images that the retina will never erase and memories that the mind will never forget. Our tournament will count one more year with some extra services that will qualitatively improve the adventure of the participants and will keep the memory of the MIC alive forever.

PHOTO SERVICES

Together with REMImages, the MICFootball offers an exclusive photography service thanks to which participants will be able to remember their experiences at the tournament for the rest of their lives. This service includes both individual photographs of the players as well as images of the entire team

More information here.

VIDEO SERVICE

In addition, thanks to NetSport TV, the teams that wish to do so will be able to contract the service of broadcasting their matches in streaming. On the one hand, fans and family members will be able to follow live all the matches of their team in the competition. On the other hand, coaches and players will be able to keep the MICFootball matches forever and watch them again whenever they want.

More information here.

MOVE AROUND THE COSTA BRAVA

Nizacars® will offer a wide range of vehicle rentals so that family members and players can enjoy the wonderful surroundings of the Costa Brava. Thanks to this service, those attending the tournament will be able to discover during the week the Catalan gastronomy, landscapes, beaches and tourist attractions that the area has to offer.

More information here.

Once again this year, Costa Brava is preparing to welcome hundreds of teams from all over the world to take part in the MIC and discover some of the best coastal places of Catalonia through football.

Our tournament is attended by thousands of players who, every Easter, enjoy sport and the climate offered by the counties of Girona at a very special time of the year.

MICFootball 2024 will have the same accommodation areas as last year’s edition. Each of the following towns, belonging to Diputació de Girona, will host at least one category of the tournament: Lloret de Mar (U19, U18, U16 and F19); Platja d’Aro (U14 and U12B); Palamós (U12B); L’Estartit (U12A) and Roses (U13 and U15). From 26th to 31st March 2024, both the amateur teams and the biggest clubs in the world (Real Madrid, Manchester City and Juventus FC, among others) will stay in the different Catalan towns for a week.

We will have the collaboration of a total amount of 20 hotels, where the teams will rest to face an unforgettable. Apart from football, MIC is also an opportunity for thousands of people from different nationalities who travel with the aim of enjoying a unique life experience in an unbeatable environment.

Last 4 November 2023 will always be special for Fluminense and all their fans because they won their first Copa Libertadores, at Maracaná Stadium and against a historic club like Boca Juniors.

In addition, there is a player from the Brazilian team, Marcelo, who added his 30th trophy to a list of absolute legends. The left-back took his first steps in the team of his life, Flu, which catapulted him to one of the greats of European football, Real Madrid. After an enviable career at the Santiago Bernabéu, the Carioca decided to burn the last of his European hopes at Olympiakos (Greece) before returning to Rio de Janeiro to lift South America’s most important club title.

Marcelo’s list of honours includes an endless list of titles, including 5 Champions League titles with Los Blancos and 1 Confederations Cup with the Seleção.
Before all these awards, in April 2004, with Brazil’s youth team and still without being a professional, Marcelo won the MICFootball in a thrilling final against FC Barcelona that was decided from the penalty spot.

Marcelo thus joins the list of illustrious MICPlayers who have triumphed around the world after playing in the MIC, the tournament where stars are born.

 

 

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Volunteers, it’s your turn!

Have you always wanted to experience a world-class football event from the inside? Here is your chance!

MICFootball 2024 continues with its preparation for a new edition and, as it could not be otherwise, volunteers will once again play an essential role in the tournament.
Last year’s edition was a success thanks to the more than 300 people who collaborated with us to make the dreams of all participants come true.

From the hotel volunteers, who accompany the teams throughout the week of competition, to the field volunteers who facilitate the operation of the tournament on the field. In addition, the physiotherapists, who look after the physical condition of the protagonists and also the communication volunteers, who are responsible for reporting everything that happens through a multidisciplinary department.

Would you like to be part of the tournament as a volunteer? The registration period is now officially open.

MORE INFORMATION

www.micfootball.com/volunteers 

REGISTER HERE

www.colaboradores.micsports.es

The Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris is the place where the best football players in the world are crowned every year, both in the men’s and women’s categories. The Ballon d’Or gala, which every year brings together all the stars of world football, was attended this time by our MICFootball 2022 ambassador, Aitana Bonmatí.

Behind the highest individual award in world football, there is a beautiful story that began in the streets of Sant Pere de Ribes and continued in C.F. Cubelles, where she played in a men’s team. Aitana reached her footballing splendour this past season being the best player of the UWCL with F.C. Barcelona and the MVP of the Women’s World Cup with the Spanish National Team.

Two years ago, at the presentation of MICFootball, the best player in the world confessed that, in her first years as a professional footballer, she finished her training sessions at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and ran to the Costa Brava to enjoy our tournament. She also advised the younger players not to stop dreaming and to take advantage of the opportunity to take part in a competition where the experience is unforgettable.

The MICFootball’s 22nd edition, which will be held from March 26th to 31st, 2024, continues to take shape. It will once again have a luxury lineup with the presence of the best youth teams. As of now, teams such as Juventus FC, Manchester United, Manchester City, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, RCD Espanyol, Liverpool and Olympique Lyonnais have already confirmed their participation in the tournament. More top teams will be announced on our social media channels in the upcoming days.

RCD Espanyol is the most successful club in MICFootball’s history with a total of 22 titles (counting men’s and women’s categories), followed by Barça (21) and Madrid (11). 

A global tournament… breaking records? 

Since its origins, MICFootball brings together teams from all over the world every year at the Costa Brava, in what is a week of cultural exchange and contrast of soccer styles.

In 2024, our goal is to break all teams-participation record, reaching the mark of 400 teams from over 30 countries. Almost 40 towns from Girona will host a tournament consolidated as one of the most prestigious in youth football.

The countdown has already begun.

 

When we think about sports training, it is common to imagine athletes sweating in the gym or running on the track. However, there is an equally important but less visible aspect: invisible training. This term refers to the sum of sports nutrition, adequate rest and preventive work, and plays a fundamental role in the performance of any athlete.

Sports Nutrition: The Fuel for Performance

Sports nutrition is much more than just filling your stomach. It is the fuel that drives the body during training and competition. Athletes must consume the appropriate amount of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) to optimize their performance. Additionally, proper hydration is essential to avoid dehydration and exhaustion.

Nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates, provide the energy needed to train hard and recover quickly. Planning specific meals for training and competition is crucial to achieving maximum athletic potential.

Rest: Recovery and Regeneration

Rest is the cornerstone of invisible training. During sleep, the body recovers, regenerates tissues and strengthens the immune system. Athletes need sufficient hours of quality sleep to ensure adequate recovery. Lack of sleep can lead to fatigue, decreased performance, and increased risk of injury.

In addition to sleep, active rest, such as relaxation, and recovery practices such as massage and physical therapy, play an important role in preventing injuries and maintaining optimal performance.

Preventive Work: Avoid Future Problems

Preventive work is the third pillar of invisible training. It involves performing specific exercises to strengthen muscles and joints and prevent injuries. A well-designed preventive training program can help athletes avoid future problems and stay at the top of their game.

These exercises may include stretching, strengthening exercises, joint mobility, and balance work. A trainer or physical therapist can help develop a personalized plan to address each athlete’s specific needs and reduce the risk of injury.

In short, invisible training, which encompasses sports nutrition, rest and preventative work, is essential for success in sport. Athletes who pay attention to these aspects, in addition to their physical training, are better prepared to achieve their goals, perform at their highest level, and stay healthy throughout their sports careers.

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