Nearly 400 budding footballers graced the hallowed turf of the Allianz Riviera in Nice for the Champion’s Cup Rekupo, an event hailed by former French international Olivier Dacourt as an “amazing chance” for participants. While the tournament offers a potential stepping stone for aspiring professionals, its primary focus remains on the joy of the game.
Jean-Christophe Marquet, the competition’s founder, emphasized, “Above all, what we want to do is to structure amateur football so that participants enjoy themselves in exceptional conditions. The Champion’s Cup Rekupo is free: there are no barriers to entry.”
Dacourt reiterated this sentiment, stating, “You can’t forget that when we talk about playing football, it is about playing. We are losing this notion of the game. Football remains a game… the best advice that I can give to the young players, but also and especially their parents: don’t forget that, first and foremost, football is a game.”
Despite the emphasis on enjoyment, the Champion’s Cup has a proven track record as a platform for talent. Chelsea defender and French international Wesley Fofana notably participated in previous editions. Last week’s tournament saw 34 teams from across France, including professional club academies like OGC Nice, Olympique de Marseille, and Montpellier HSC, compete in the U9, U11, and U13 Women’s categories.
The competition provides a crucial opportunity for young players to gauge their abilities. Dacourt explained, “I think that this tournament is great because, often, young players, be it in their town or their region, are sometimes the best in their team. And here, the fact that you’re playing against other teams that come from other regions is a good way of testing yourself, to see if you really are the best, as everyone tells you. When you play other teams, you realise that there is a long way to go.”
Dacourt also recalled his own youth experiences, citing Franck Sylvestre as an inspiration. “I was going absolutely crazy. Knowing that he came, I absolutely wanted to win because I really wanted him to hand me the trophy,” he shared.
In the tournament’s 16th edition, Olympique de Marseille clinched victory in the U11 category, defeating Montpellier. Burel FC triumphed in the U9 tournament against AS Portet-sur-Garonne, and FC Vendenheim secured the U13 Women’s title over JE Toulousaine.
With a history of fostering talent, including Mohamed Simakan and Axel Tape, the Champion’s Cup Rekupo, having established success in France, is now planning to extend its reach with similar tournaments across Europe.
