Shining at the Mondial de la Saint-Pierre 2025

Futbol4Life made an impressive debut at the Mondial de la Saint-Pierre in France, earning a return invitation. Discover their meritorious journey.

The dream of competing on an international stage became a reality this past April for a talented group of young athletes. The Fundación Atletas para la Vida (Athletes for Life Foundation) and its Futbol4Life program proudly accepted an invitation to travel to Nantes, France, to participate in the prestigious Mondial de la Saint-Pierre, a renowned youth football tournament.

This journey marked a significant milestone, showcasing the dedication, skill, and heart of our U-15 team on European soil.

Facing Europe’s Best

Arriving in Nantes on April 7th, our team stepped into a highly competitive environment. The tournament featured 24 teams, including top-tier clubs from France’s first and second divisions, renowned French academies, and other international squads.

Our team was placed in a challenging six-team group alongside opponents from the Netherlands, Canada, and several French academy teams. It was a true test of skill and resilience against diverse and experienced playstyles.

A Commendable Performance and a Fight to the Finish

Throughout the group stage, our boys demonstrated immense commitment and played with inspiring passion. They finished a strong third in their group, missing out on the second-place spot by the slimmest of margins—just a single goal in goal difference. While we narrowly missed advancing to the main championship bracket, this result was a testament to our ability to compete at a very high level.

This performance placed us in a secondary cup competition, and after all the matches were played, Futbol4Life secured a final ranking of 14th out of the 24 participating teams. For a first-time appearance at such a demanding tournament, this is a highly meritorious achievement that speaks volumes about the talent and hard work of our players and coaching staff.

The team’s performance did not go unnoticed. We received praise and congratulations from several distinguished teams, including AS Monaco, Le Havre AC, Stade Brestois 29, and our Canadian opponents, who recognized the quality and sportsmanship of our squad.

A Bright Future and an Invitation to Return

The impact of this experience extends far beyond the final whistle. It was an event of immense learning and satisfaction, exposing our players to a level of dynamism and intensity that will shape their futures.

The best news of all? Our dignified and impressive performance has already opened doors for the future. Futbol4Life has officially been invited to participate in the next Mondial de la Saint-Pierre! We plan to return next April with our 2011 category team and will also be developing players from our 2012 category to join the experience.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Supporters

This incredible journey would not have been possible without the trust and support of our community. We extend our deepest gratitude to:

• Saeta Internacional: For generously donating our team uniforms. The excellent quality and design made our team stand out and were a source of great pride.
• Nuevo Amanecer: For their invaluable collaboration and logistical support.
• ANB Futbol: For trusting in the Futbol for Life program and serving as the key reference that helped secure our invitation.
• The Parents: Our sincere thanks to the families of our 16 players. Your commitment, trust, and support were the foundation of this success.

This experience in France was more than just a tournament; it was a demonstration of what can be achieved with passion, commitment, and community support. We are incredibly proud of our players and excited to continue building on this success to create even more opportunities for the youth of Quindío.