29 Apr 2025
Aspire Academy’s under-17 squad tested themselves at the recent Mohammed VI Football Academy U19 International Tournament in Morocco. A 2-0 win over Italian side Udinese saw Aspire Academy clinch seventh place at one of the leading global youth football competitions. This prestigious annual event is one of the leading global youth events for teams from around the world, offering a premier platform for competition, skill development, and international exposure.
This year’s tournament featured 12 teams representing 11 countries across four continents. Alongside Aspire Academy and the host team, Mohammed VI Football Academy, Morocco’s Fath Union Sport Club also took part. The other prestigious participants were Paris Saint-Germain (France), Crystal Palace (England), Girona FC (Spain), River Plate (Argentina), Famalicão (Portugal), AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands), Udinese (Italy), Panathinaikos (Greece), and Volcan Junior Academy (Ivory Coast).
Aspire Academy began its Group D campaign with a 1–1 draw against Panathinaikos, which was followed by a goalless stalemate with Volcan Junior Academy. The results saw Aspire Academy progress to the quarter-finals, where they lost out 2-0 to eventual runners-up Crystal Palace. The loss meant that Aspire Academy took on Girona in a match to help decide the lower places – the match ended in a draw, with the Spanish club eventually winning 9-8 on penalties. On the final day of the tournament, all the participants played a final match to decide their ranking, with Aspire Academy’s victory over Udinese good enough for 7th place overall. Argentinian club River Plate were the overall winners as they beat Crystal Palace and French side Paris Saint-Germain in third place.
Edorta Murua, Football Technical Director at Aspire Academy, was pleased that the team had an opportunity to take on a high-calibre of opposition: "Participating in such tournaments offers a golden opportunity for our student-athletes to refine their technical skills and strengthen their mental resilience. They had the chance to face diverse football schools from around the world, underwent high-intensity training sessions in preparation for the tournament, and adapted to a new environment, enhancing their ability to adjust and remain prepared for varying competitive conditions."
The event was an excellent opportunity for Aspire Academy’s student-athletes to push for a place in the Qatar squad for the Under-17 World Cup later this year on home soil.
The Mohammed VI International Tournament was first launched in 2017 as a U17 event with only eight teams. Due to its organisational success and high level of competition, the organisers elevated the age category to U19 and expanded participation to 12 teams from some of the world's top clubs and academies starting from the 2019 edition. Today, it stands as one of the premier international youth football tournaments. Aspire Academy’s participation reflects its ongoing commitment to providing its student-athletes with the best platforms to develop their skills and gain the experience needed to compete confidently and competently on the global stage.