FOOTBALL
St. Xavier’s School to lock horns with some of the best youth teams in Europe
St. Xavier’s Collegiate School from Kolkata, the first Indian youth team to officially participate in the MADCUP Football Tournament 2025, will face Atlético de Madrid and SO Caillolais, an associate club of Olympique Marseille, in the group stage.
The fifth edition of MADCUP tournament, the largest federated international tournament for grassroots football, will run from June 21 to 26.
It will be hosted across 32 sporting facilities in Madrid; including iconic venues such as the Atlético de Madrid Sports Centre, Ciudad Deportiva del Real Madrid, and Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas.
The young Kolkata side will test its mettle against youth teams from some of the biggest names in world football, including Real Madrid CF, Atlético de Madrid, Juventus FC, Sevilla FC, CA River Plate, Valencia CF, CD Leganés, and other leading global academies from approximately 40 countries across five continents.
“St. Xavier’s Collegiate School, Kolkata, India participating in the MadCup 2025 is not only the creation of history for our school but for Indian youth football itself,” Farino Torcato, Senior Teacher, said.
“I am not thinking of winning the tournament or something like that, but yes, we Xavierians are on a mission to show the world we also know and play football and will leave no stone unturned in making our school, city, state and country proud.”
-Team Sportstar
Mumbai City FC signs midfielder Zothanpuia
The 20-year-old Zothanpuia joins the Islanders on a three-year contract.
| Photo Credit:
Mumbai City FC
The 20-year-old Zothanpuia joins the Islanders on a three-year contract.
| Photo Credit:
Mumbai City FC
Indian Super League side Mumbai City FC, on Monday, announced the signing of midfielder Zothanpuia from Aizawl FC.
The 20-year-old joins the Islanders on a three-year contract.
He made his professional debut for Electric Veng FC in Mizoram in 2022, before featuring for Oranje FC in the I-League 2 during the 2023-24 season, following which he played for Southern Samity in the 2024 Calcutta League.
Fondly referred to as ‘Puipuia’, he joined Aizawl FC for its I-League campaign in the 2024-25 season, wherein his 20 appearances yielded three goals and two assists.
“I am thrilled to join Mumbai City. It is a club with a rich history and a record of winning trophies and titles. I am looking forward to contributing to that effort and hope to learn and grow with the experience in the squad. Playing in the ISL has been a dream of mine and I am excited to live that dream with Mumbai City,” Zothanpuia said .
-Team Sportstar
