Record 2,500 Young Players Join Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup 2024

Photo : MSN

Dubai: The Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup 2025 turned out to be a record-breaking event, bringing together more than 2,500 young footballers from across the world. The tournament, held at Zayed Sports City, witnessed intense action as 180 teams from 22 different countries competed in 650 matches over two days.

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha, who attended the event as the tournament ambassador, was highly impressed with the level of talent on display. He was among the 6,000 spectators who cheered for the young footballers.

“The Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup was a fantastic experience. It was great to see so many young players from different parts of the world coming together to play football with so much passion. The quality of football was amazing, and I hope this tournament will inspire them to keep improving their game,” said Onuoha.

Teams from the UAE were joined by players from the UK, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Russia, Belarus, and Turkmenistan. Over the weekend, a total of 1,521 goals were scored across eight different age categories in both boys’ and girls’ competitions.

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A Special Reward for Young Champions
One of the most exciting prizes of the tournament was a dream trip to Manchester. Al Seeb from Oman, the winners of the U14 Boys category, were selected for this special opportunity. The team will visit the Etihad Campus, train with Manchester City coaches, and watch a Manchester City first-team match live at the Etihad Stadium.

Another exciting prize went to GR7 Academy, the Under-12 Plate winners. Their young players will now receive a high-level coaching clinic conducted by Manchester City’s own coaches, who will travel to their home country of Oman to train them.

Beyond the thrilling matches, the event offered entertainment and activities for visitors. On Saturday evening, fans gathered to watch Manchester City’s Premier League match against Newcastle United on a big screen, where City secured a dominant 4-0 victory, led by a hat-trick from Egyptian star Omar Marmoush.

Tournament’s Global Growth
Simon Hewitt, Director of Football Operations MENA for City Football Group, expressed his joy over the tournament’s massive success.

“The 2025 edition of the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup has been a record breaker. Since we launched the tournament in 2017, it has grown significantly. This year, we welcomed more than 60 international teams and a total of 180 teams, which shows the global impact of this competition. Seeing so many young footballers enjoying themselves was a joy, and the level of football was outstanding,” Hewitt said.

He also thanked all the players, coaches, parents, and supporters who contributed to making the event so special. “We also appreciate our partners for playing an essential role in organizing such a big and prestigious event. We look forward to an even bigger Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup in 2026,” he added.

With its growing popularity and increasing international participation, the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup continues to cement its status as one of the most exciting youth football tournaments in the world.

Feb. 20, 2025 12:44 p.m. 349

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