Gelson Martins and Daniel Podence take part in presentation ceremony

Via Real de Santo António will host a 10th consecutive 'Mundialito' this year, from the 19th to the 27th of March. The event, which is the world's biggest 7-a-side international tournament, is now in its 23rd edition. Event founder Ricardo Godoy and Alvalade stars Gelson Martins and Daniel Podence sat down with the Sporting website to speak about out the importance of the tournament.

“We are 23 years on and more than 80,000 players have taken part in the tournament. A lot of them are doing well internationally now. David Silva, Pedro Rodriguez and Bartra for example. It is a World Cup for every kid", affirmed Ricardo Godoy, adding: "Rui ´Patrício was at the first Mundialito that we presented in Lisbon back in 2006. Years later, now Rui Patrício is who he is."

Sporting B star Daniel Podence also had the opportunity to take part in the event. "It was one of the best tournaments I took part in. In Lisbon we were used to playing against smaller teams and the Mundialito gave us the chance to expand out horizons a bit", said Podence. Gelson Martins also gave his backing to the tournament: "Players like us, who game through the youth system, know how important these tournaments are for young players and getting ready for the future."