Today opened the tenth edition of the Pulcino d’Oro International Tournament, an event that has become a benchmark for Under-11 youth football. Until Sunday 15 June, the pitches of Valsugana, with Levico Terme at its heart, will host an event that goes far beyond football, celebrating sport, growth, inclusion and sharing.
The numbers recount the exceptional nature of the event. Eighty teams are participating, including professional and amateur clubs, in an event that represents a true international showcase for youth football. The 2025 edition marks a historic milestone for the Pulcino d’Oro, which began in 2015 with 24 teams and an ambitious dream that has now become a global reality. The pitches in Levico Terme, Borgo Valsugana and Caldonazzo have already been brought to life by dozens of volunteers, schools and local associations, in an atmosphere of great enthusiasm and participation.
Great show on the pitch
The first day was full of excitement and surprises, with the first 48 men’s teams and all 16 women’s teams from Pulcino d’Oro Girls taking to the pitch. In Borgo Valsugana, Trento got off to an excellent start with two wins out of two against Marignanese and Unterland Berg, as did Perugia, which also scored maximum points. In Caldonazzo, ViPo Trento performed well, beating the Portuguese side Santarem and drawing with Football Academy Andria, while the Georgians of Dinamo Batumi won both of their matches. The United Arab Emirates team Al Wahda won one match against San Luigi Trieste and lost the other to Levante Azzurro Bari from Puglia.
In the women’s tournament in Levico Terme, the giants of Italian football are shining. Inter, Juventus, Milan and Roma have made a strong start with two wins out of two.
The opening ceremony is coming soon
Tomorrow, Friday 13 June, from 9 a.m., all 80 teams will return to the pitch in Levico Terme, on the field in Viale Lido. In the afternoon, starting at 4.30 p.m., it will be time for the opening ceremony, one of the most eagerly awaited events of the entire tournament. The parade will start from “Parco Asburgico”, winding its way through the streets of the town centre until it reaches the public beach on Lake Levico, where the official presentation of the teams will take place in an atmosphere of celebration and camaraderie.
Football and values. A universal language
In terms of sport, the 2025 edition promises to be of the highest standard. Past winners such as Inter, River Plate, Sporting Lisbon, PSV Eindhoven, Parma and Cesena will be back on the pitch. There is great anticipation for the debut of Barcelona, with its famous youth academy, and for River Plate, the reigning champions ready to defend their title. They will make their debut on Friday morning, with three matches to play for each of them.
Teams from all over the world will be present: Spain, Germany, England, the Netherlands, Portugal, Georgia, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina and, of course, Italy, reflecting the international scope of the tournament. Today, the Pulcino d’Oro is an event that combines competitiveness and values, talent and inclusion, sport and culture, connecting thousands of people through the universal language of football. It is a virtuous model that intertwines the world of sport with schools and the local area, making Valsugana the stage for the champions of tomorrow.