Brazil U16s beat Portugal, win Torneio de Montaigu for third time
Brazil U16s beat Portugal, win Torneio de Montaigu for third time Brazil’s U-16 Men’s National Team won the Montaigu Tournament title for the third time, a traditional competition held in France since 1976. The third championship came this Monday (6), with an exciting 1-0 victory over Portugal, thanks to a penalty scored by Rodrigo, in a match played at Maxime Bossis Stadium in Montaigu. Brazil had previously won the tournament in 1984 and 2002, and has now become the South American country with the most Montaigu Tournament trophies, surpassing Argentina, which has two titles.
To claim its third title, under coach Guilherme Dalla Déa, Brazil opened the group stage with a draw — 1-1 against Ivory Coast — and then earned two wins: 1-0 over China and 3-0 over the host nation, France. That secured top spot in Group A and a place in the final against Portugal, which won Group B, also made up of Japan, Mexico, and Peru. “I’m very happy.
The feeling of scoring the title-winning goal is incredible. I hadn’t scored any goals in the tournament. I can only thank God.
It was a very difficult, very tightly contested match, with a lot of battles. It’s really great to take part in the Montaigu Tournament — it helps develop us, gives us experience, and we learn a lot,” said Rodrigo, a Vasco player and the match-winner in the final. Held since 1976, the competition has established itself as one of the most traditional and important youth tournaments in the world.
The last edition Brazil had taken part in was in 2022, when the generation led by Luís Guilherme, Pedrinho, and Endrick won the title and ended a 38-year drought. The achievement came in unprecedented fashion, with three wins and one draw Credits: Fabio Souza / CBF After winning the Copa 2 de Julho and the Conmebol Liga Evolución, a competition featuring South American national teams, coach Guilherme Dalla Déa reinforced the importance of having the players face different footballing schools from around the world. This Monday, after the win over Portugal, he praised the players’ dedication and the work of the coaching staff.