The ‘Ché’ team, runners-up in the 2023 edition, has started the International Carnaval Cup like a shot.

Despite the dominance of the big Spanish clubs, the tournament has also seen other teams shine and lift the trophy in different editions. This is the case for Valencia CF, a club that has always stood out in the International Carnaval Cup, winning the title twice (2018 and 2020). These successes have demonstrated the quality and talent of Valencia’s youth academy, and their presence in the final stages has always been considered a key factor in the competitiveness of the tournament.

Valencia, known for its strong structure in the youth categories, has once again demonstrated the level of its grassroots football, always ready to challenge the biggest clubs. Under the guidance of Miguel Gandia, the head coach of the U-15 team, the club continues to focus on development and the discovery of new talents. Gandia, who has been developing young prospects for years, has successfully stamped his mark on each of the players, urging them never to relax, despite the big results achieved in this tournament. “It was a clear victory against Cabrils, but in the end, I’m not completely satisfied with the result. I don’t want the boys to relax when facing a ‘big fish’,” explains Miguel Gandia after the commanding 11-0 win over Cabrils and 13-0 against Penya Blaugrana in the second match.

Despite the large victories, the coach emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus and a high level of play, as in the upcoming matches they will face more renowned opponents who will test the true ability of his team.

Two subsidiaries with 10 players each: the perfect platform for trials

In addition to the great results in the group stage, the tournament also serves as a platform to assess player performance and discover new talents who could join the club’s structure. “We have two subsidiaries, one in the Autonomic League and another in Preferente, with a total of 20 boys. This tournament helps us test and discover new players,” says the Valencia coach, who has been a key figure in the development of some of the most notable names in Valencia’s youth system.

Following in the footsteps of Yarek, Fran Pérez, Mosquera…

Over the years, the International Carnaval Cup has witnessed great players who started their journey in the tournament. Some of the most recognized names to have passed through Valencia’s youth system include Yarek, Mosquera, Fran Pérez (current first-team player), and David Otorbi (player for the B team). “It’s a tournament where young talents always emerge,” says Gandia, highlighting how the competition serves as a showcase for players to display their talent in front of scouts and coaches from professional clubs.

This year, Valencia arrives with a squad full of potential. The most notable players in terms of projection are Ferran Mut, Sergio Revert (son of Salvador Revert, former Valencia player), and Sergio Rodríguez. However, Gandia emphasizes that “in the end, all the players on the team are good,” which shows the collective strength of the squad and the depth of talent in the club’s academy. With these names in mind, Valencia aims to continue being a reference in Spanish youth football and take their legacy in the International Carnaval Cup to new heights.