MADRID – The dream of playing in a World Cup began this Wednesday in Madrid for young footballers at the inaugural FC Futures Club World Cup, a U12 tournament organized by LaLiga. Among the 20 participating clubs are some of the biggest names in global soccer, including River Plate, Boca Juniors, Inter Miami, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Flamengo, Palmeiras, and Bayer Leverkusen, all divided into four groups of five teams. [1]
But for one player, the tournament offered a reunion decades in the making. Sami Schuster, 11, who plays for River Plate, had the opportunity to meet his grandfather, football legend Bernd Schuster, for the first time on Tuesday during the tournament’s presentation. [3]
A Family Story Across Continents
The story of how the grandson of a German football icon came to play for one of Argentina’s most storied clubs is a winding one. Rebecca Schuster, Bernd’s daughter, was visiting a friend in Santiago, Chile, in 2013. A chance encounter at the Antofagasta airport with Juan Carlos Maldonado, a Córdoba native and former footballer, would change her life. Maldonado, who notably played a role in River Plate’s relegation to the second division in 2011 while with Belgrano, caught Rebecca’s eye. [3]
Later that year, Maldonado moved to La Falda, Córdoba, to live with Rebecca, and in 2014, Sami was born. Now, the young footballer plays for the highly club his father helped relegate. [3]
“I had seen videos of my grandfather,” Sami said at Tuesday’s tournament presentation. “For me, it’s something new, it’s the first time, after so many years we haven’t seen each other. Thanks to the tournament, he has come to Madrid.” The 66-year-old Schuster, who retired in 1996 with Pumas of Mexico and later managed Real Madrid in 2007, echoed the sentiment. [3]
Bernd Schuster, speaking about his grandson’s potential, previously told ESPN, “The boy looks good. I don’t understand if as good as his grandfather, but he’s on the right track. I like how he moves. He’s a bit of a dribbler, he likes to capture on players. He’s not so much an organizer, but he’s still young and can change.” [3]
The presentation event itself was a star-studded affair. A friendly match between a combined team of Spanish players participating in the tournament and a team of players from the rest of the world served as a prelude to the competition. Vicente del Bosque, the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship-winning coach of Spain, and José Antonio Camacho, another Spanish footballing great, led the Spanish side. Notably, Bernd Schuster managed the team representing the rest of the world, giving him the unique opportunity to coach his grandson for the first time. [3]
Club Atlético River Plate, founded in 1901, is one of Argentina’s most successful football clubs, boasting a record 38 Primera División championships and 16 national cups, totaling 54 domestic titles. [2] The club’s home stadium, Estadio Mâs Monumental, is the largest in South America, with a capacity of 85,018. [2] River Plate currently competes in the Liga Profesional, finishing fourth in the 2025 season. [2] The club has over 350,000 members, making it one of the largest sports clubs globally. [2]
The U12 LaLiga FC Futures Club World Cup represents a significant opportunity for young players like Sami Schuster to showcase their talent on an international stage. The tournament, running from March 26th to 29th, 2026, will undoubtedly provide invaluable experience for these aspiring footballers. [1]
River Plate is scheduled to face CA Boca Juniors in the group stage on Friday, March 27th, 2026. [4] The match promises to be a highly anticipated clash between two of Argentina’s fiercest rivals, even at the youth level. [4]
The story of Sami Schuster and his grandfather is a heartwarming reminder of the power of football to connect families across generations, and continents. As the FC Futures Club World Cup progresses, all eyes will be on Sami, not just as a representative of River Plate, but as a young player embarking on a journey that could one day mirror the illustrious career of his grandfather.
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