An Unforgettable Summer Football Experience in Madrid

Our son Sammy had an incredible summer football experience in Madrid, and we couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity for him both as a footballer and as a young person.

The experience initially began with a few days of intensive training in Madrid, followed by a week of competitive tournament football. Sammy thoroughly enjoyed the experience, progressing all the way to the final of a major international tournament featuring teams from around the world. The tournament has a strong history and has seen some very well-known names participate over the years, including Xabi Alonso, Mikel Arteta, Fernando Torres, Álvaro Morata and many other players who have gone on to reach the highest levels of the game. Following this fantastic experience, Sammy was fortunate enough to be invited to stay on in Madrid to continue training, playing and developing his game.

What followed was an amazing seven weeks of football, training three to four times a week, alongside regular friendly and competitive matches. The standard and intensity of the training were fantastic, pushing Sammy both technically and physically and giving him the opportunity to experience a different style and culture of football.

What really stood out was that the programme went far beyond football. The training included activities specifically designed to develop different aspects of performance, such as swimming-pool exercises focused on leg strength, as well as padel tournaments that helped develop agility, coordination and teamwork. These activities also provided a great opportunity for the players to bond and build friendships away from the pitch.

One of the most valuable aspects of the whole experience was the opportunity for Sammy to immerse himself in Spanish culture. He stayed with a wonderful Spanish family who made him feel completely welcome and part of their home. They shared meals together, spent time with him as a family and even asked Sammy to cook for them, which was a great way for him to become involved in everyday family life.

Sammy was also provided with a bicycle to travel to and from training, giving him a sense of independence and allowing him to experience day-to-day life in Madrid. Alongside the football, he took weekly Spanish speaking lessons, which helped him develop his confidence with the language and further connect with the people and culture around him.

Looking back, the seven weeks gave Sammy so much more than just football training. He developed as a player, experienced a different football environment, made new friends, became more independent and gained a genuine appreciation for Spanish culture and lifestyle.

It was a fantastic combination of high-level football, fitness, competition, cultural immersion and personal development. Sammy came home with great memories, new experiences and a renewed enthusiasm for football. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity he was given and would highly recommend this type of experience to any young player looking to develop both on and off the pitch.

Great experience, lovely time and effort put in to play at the highest level whilst having fun . Playing top academies in this football tour such as Villareal FC was amazing.

Hey Andres,

I just wanted to say thank you so much for this amazing trip that you arranged and organised for the boys. Joshua came home so happy and full of excitement. He said he wished he could have stayed in Spain much longer because he absolutely loved the whole vibe, the energy, the hotel, the food, his team, and the coaches. It was such a positive environment for him, and you could really see how much he enjoyed every moment of it.

Honestly, I really appreciate everything you do. Ever since you joined Greenwich Peninsula, I’ve noticed how much effort you put into organising opportunities and creating experiences for the boys to help them grow, not just as footballers but as young people too.

It genuinely makes my heart happy knowing Joshua has someone like you as a coach and mentor. Thank you again for all your hard work, dedication, and care. It truly means a lot to us. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾✊🏾✊🏾♥️♥️