On the eve of PSG vs Inter in the Champions League final, Gatorade invited youngsters from around the world for a special tournament

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Football can, should and often is a force for good. It is more than winning and losing, rather more about spirit and community, happiness and enjoyment, no matter your age, background, philosophy or all else.

Sport allows people from all walks of life, be they adolescent or adult, to dream. For 14 to 16-year-olds who aspire to make it as professional footballers, Gatorade's 5v5 Tournament – running since 2016 – is almost on a plain of fantasy. Grassroots tournament at local level decide national champions for boys and girls all over the world, with these winners representing their respective countries facing off in the host city of the Champions League final. The prize is a trip to that showpiece event, this year held at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena.

The last four – two boys' finalists and two girls' finalists – also had the chance to meet several icons of the game. Cesc Fabregas was one of the marquee names to pop by, with Robert Pires, Claude Makelele, Cafu and Laura Georges all attending the last day of festivities in Munich's Olympiapark and later playing in a legends' match to wrap up proceedings. GOAL had the chance to speak with the quartet about their involvement in the initiative and what's kept them coming back each year.

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GatoradeSetting an example

The opportunity to come and inspire the next generation is as much of a pull as any other factor to these ex-professionals. It's a nice, timely reminder of their importance and influence, even nowadays. Makelele and Pires, two close friends from their days representing one of the most successful France teams at international level, had contrasting views on their fame as they grow older, but aligned all the same.

Former midfielder Makelele said: "Of course, I'm happy to set an example, I'm happy because sometimes you can lose yourself in football and you need someone who can understand. Sometimes it's good to copy, we all copy different players when we start, you want to set a good example and I hope I'm a good example for them."

Pires, dripping in sweat after being put through his paces in the legends' game, retorted: "It's not easy because, coming back like me, you are old! But the most important thing is for everyone to enjoy the day, to be together for these sorts of events. I'm feeling good and I'm happy to be here with the guys, with everyone."

AdvertisementGatoradePassing on the legend

Cafu, the oldest A-lister at 54, was thrilled to be known by the kids, particularly those from his native Brazil. "I feel extremely happy to come over and realise we can still contribute to the formation of the new generations," he said.

It was then put to the former Milan and Roma star that right-backs nowadays are periodically hailed as 'the new Cafu' if they show promise and potential, which brought a trademark wide smile to his face.

"It's a great honour to still be referenced like that nowadays!" he exclaimed, before reeling off his favourite right-backs of the modern game. "I like Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Achraf Hakimi of course… and Dodo from Fiorentina!"

Makelele, a self-confessed Chelsea fan having enjoyed a successful five-year stint there as a player, was also in the mood to talk about his successors in the modern era at Stamford Bridge, where the Blues seem to churn out generational midfielder after generational midfielder.

"Moises Caicedo, I love this boy!" Makelele hailed. "Romeo Lavia also, he can provide great competition. I think next season, you will see a better Chelsea. Only one team in Europe has won all the trophies, no one other club has done this. I think it's good, there was a negative way because they had injuries, but they corrected it and they are very good, they're back in the Champions League and they won a trophy."

GatoradeSupporting the women's game

As one of the most successful players to ever grace the women's game, Georges was especially pleased to see girls given a platform to perform and live their dreams.

"I wish my [youth] team could participate in this tournament!" she said. "But I'm glad the kids have these opportunities from different countries, having the experience of a final tournament is great."

As was the case with Pires, Makelele and Cafu, it was hard to peel Georges away from crowds wanting pictures with another of their heroes. "Whenever I meet fans, I think it's always important to get to know them, to share experiences about the game, to give them support and thank them for taking their time to support the women's game, we are nothing without fans," she added.

Though Gatorade 5v5 concluded with the men's Champions League final, Georges was keen to discuss the women's Champions League final from a week earlier. Arsenal, huge underdogs heading into the showdown in Lisbon, beat heavy favourites and holders Barcelona 1-0, and Georges thought it was important for the parity of the sport to shine through.

"This final was great to showcase the talent of the women's game. Barcelona are great, but Arsenal showed through the season so much resilience and hard work. It was great to see that, it's not just about one team being on top, but every team in the women's game stepping up their level. Everyone can beat everyone."

Gatorade5v5 to the world

There are clearly differences between small-sided games and the 11-against-11 standard of professional football, but that doesn't mean there aren't skills which are transferable. In fact, that's how football tends to begin.

Makelele pointed out: "5v5 is different, it's like when we're in the streets and building our teams! It's good, the kids can learn how to be competitive, play one-to-one, and they play football. 5v5 is the beginning of football, you never start at 11 against 11. The way skill is more important, the way you contact with others, you can play! It's a short distance, then evolution makes you open up football more. 5v5 is the beginning."

Both Cafu and Pires attest that sharpness and quickness of thought are key to this form of cage football. The Brazilian said: "5v5 is a much faster game, so you have to think faster, you have to be more accurate and precise with the ball. Every decision has to be made in a small amount of time," Pires added: "It's not quite the same because you need to be more focused, you have to concentrate more on what’s happening on the field. But I like it because you can work it out tactically, your ability on the ball, you have to be fast and have good vision."