Fernando Roig Negueroles, Villarreal CF CEO, and Marcelo Montenegro, director of the Pelé Academia, take stock of the historic collaboration agreement between the two entities
Villarreal CF have signed a partnership agreement with the prestigious Pelé Academia in Brazil, founded by ‘O Rei’ Edson Arantes do Nascimento, one of the greatest legends in the history of world football, which becomes part of the club’s international ‘Villarreal Academy’ programme. This historic agreement will not only strengthen the ties between Europe and South America in the field of football, but will also serve as a bridge for the development of young talent and the training of coaches at an international level, recognised as one of the best football academies in Europe.
These are the statements of Fernando Roig Negueroles, CEO of Villarreal CF:
The alliance with the Pelé Academia
“The Pelé Academia brings together many qualities. They are very serious people and have been working very well for many years. Linking our image to that of Pelé, who, if not the best, was one of the best players in history, is always positive for Villarreal.”
Brazil, a country that breathes football
‘It’s a football-mad country, which has won five World Cups and always produces very good players. Resende is between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, with a very large population and I’m sure that in the future they can produce very good players.”
Villarreal CF, a club dedicated to its youth set-up
“We are a club with 800 children and we are constantly bringing players up to professional football. Right now we are in a very good moment, with great players at the grassroots who will surely soon be playing in our first team.”
The agreement
“We hope that the agreement will be fruitful for both parties, both for them and for us. We will make exchanges of all kinds and the relationship will be fluid.”
Pelé
“For me personally it means a lot, because I started to love football with a VHS of Pelé. I saw him many, many times when I was nine or ten years old. Then I was lucky enough to meet him a few years ago. Pelé has always been my football idol.”
A project with a lot of enthusiasm
“We have been delighted with the enthusiasm of the people, who have given us a phenomenal welcome. They want to do things well and improve day by day by treating the children well. With their attitude and enthusiasm, I’m sure they will do very well.”
Meanwhile, Marcelo Montenegro, director of the Pelé Academia, analyses this historic agreement:
The birth of the Pelé Academia
“The Pelé Academia was born out of a dream of Pelé to give a little of what football had given him to Brazilian football. When Pelé scored the goal at the Maracanã, he asked to take care of the children of Brazil, and from there he sought us out and we began to draw what the Pelé Academia is’.
The creation process and the start of the agreement
“We have visited the main training centres and clubs that have training in their DNA. Bringing Villarreal CF on board was very natural, because they have a spectacular youth project. In addition, we thank Marcos Senna for his help and involvement.”
Villarreal CF
“It is a partnership agreement for life. We are fortunate to have the help of people who invest so much in the youth system and we are happy with this alliance. Also, Marcos Senna will be important for us, because we want to show the Brazilians all the history of the world of football that he has built in Spain.”
