President Joan Laporta opens 11th Barça Academy World Cup

Not even the rain could interfere with the Barça Academy World Cup this year as the Estadi Johan Cruyff was packed to the brim with players from the all the various countries taking part, looking forward to the start of the tournament at the Ciutat Esportiva. 

The tournament was opened with a festive atmosphere that included music and 'Castellers' (Human Towers) from the nearby towns of Sant Feliu de Llobregat and Molins de Rei. Then, the team came into the stadium accompanied by music chosen each particular Academy. 

Once everyone was settled inside the ground,  Benny Megreli, director of the Barça Academy, Sergi Barjuan, sporting director of the Barça Academy and FC Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, thanked everyone for their presence. FC Barcelona sporting vice president Rafa Yuste and Barça Women player Mariona Caldentey were also present as the young players involved in the tournament read out a programme of sporting behaviour that they promised to follow during the competition. 

10 years 

This year the Academies in Singapore and the Dominican Republic celebrate their 10th anniversary and for that reason the Club wished to recognise the fact with president Joan Laporta presenting them with a shirt and armband designed especially for the occasion. The Barça Academies in Rabat, Kyrgyzstan in Zurich and the Campuses from Luxembourg, Belgium and Paraguay are making their debuts in the tournament this year. 

The 11th Barça Academy World Cup sees an important increase in the number of female participants with 18 teams, eight more than last years, and some 170 players.