Almost 400 children graced the pitch of the Allianz Riviera, Nice, for what former France international Olivier Dacourt called an “amazing chance”, with the Champion’s Cup Rekupo representing a potential springboard for those competing.
Not that it is necessarily the biggest focus. “Above all, what we want to do is to frame amateur football so that those who take part enjoy themselves in exceptional conditions. The Champion’s Cup Rekupo is free: there are no barriers to entry,” the tournament’s founder, Jean-Christophe Marquet, says.
Chelsea’s Fofana a former participant
Dacourt adds, “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.”
It can also be a platform to integrate a professional set-up as it notably was for Chelsea defender and France international Wesley Fofana. During last week’s tournament, 34 teams in the U9, U11, and U13 Women’s category, three of which were professional outfits (OGC Nice, Olympique de Marseille, Montpellier HSC), from all across France, competed.
‘When you play other teams, you realise that there is a long way to go’ – Dacourt
The competition is about testing yourself against the best and being inspired. “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,” says Dacourt.
Photo credit: Luke Entwistle
The former RC Strasbourg Alsace, RC Lens, Fulham, Everton, and Inter Milan player added that, when competing as a youth player himself, he was inspired by the presence of a player still active, Franck Sylvestre. “I was going absolutely crazy. Knowing that he came, I absolutely wanted to win because I really wanted him to hand me the trophy,” Dacourt told Get French Football News.
OM among winners of 2026 edition of Champion’s Cup
In the 16th edition of the tournament, it was OM who came out on top in the U11 category, beating Montpellier. Burel FC beat AS Portet-sur-Garonne in the U9 tournament, and it was FC Vendenheim who beat JE Toulousaine in the U13 Women’s tournament.
The Champion’s Cup Rekupo, having had success in France, with not only Fofana, but also Mohamed Simakan, and more recently Axel Tape, benefitting from the level of competition it provides, is now looking to expand. There are plans for similar tournaments across Europe.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Nice
