The Evergrande Football School, opened in 2012 in the city of Qingyuan, is part of a grand dream of the Evergrande Group, a major Chinese real estate group. Aiming to transform China into a football superpower capable of competing for a World Cup title, the Group invested in developing a massive complex that combines football and education.

Spread across nearly 360,000 m², Evergrande Football School boasts 50 soccer fields and houses approximately 2500 students across primary and secondary schools. In addition to the entire complex dedicated to soccer practice and athlete development, the facility includes teaching buildings, laboratories, a library, a gymnasium, an auditorium, a physical training center, an entertainment space, as well as dormitories and cafeterias for students.

Recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest residential football academy, the structure hosted the Evergrande Cup U17 International Football Championship this week, won this Tuesday by Flamengo's under-17 team after beating Villarreal (ESP) 5-4 on penalties.

Concentrating at the soccer school since the 18th, the Ninho Boys played five matches, including the final. On one of their days off, the competition organizers invited two red-and-black athletes to visit the elementary school, located within the Evergrande complex.

Athletes João Gabriel and Gabriel Noga kicked a ball around with the students, aged 9 to 11, took photos, and even signed autographs. The initiative aimed to present to the Mais Querido committee the work the Chinese have been doing in the process of developing their education through sports.