The Donosti Cup 2024 welcomes the next generation of soccer stars' families
Children of legends such as Xabi Alonso, Mikel Arteta, Clint Dempsey, Blaise Matuidi, and Andriy Lunin join this prestigious event
The Donosti Cup 2024, which brought together fifteen thousand players from 30 countries, featured the participation of family members of renowned footballers and coaches, adding a special touch to the competition as they continue their parents' and siblings' legacies in the sport.
Among the highlights was the son of World Cup champion Blaise Matuidi, who played in the B9 category with Miami Elite, representing the state of Florida. Matuidi, who finished his professional career at Inter Miami, followed his son's progress closely, joining his team’s technical staff and cheering on his journey to the finals after a strong group stage.
In the G17 category, Clint Dempsey’s daughter, the all-time top scorer for the U.S. national team, played for North Georgia Academy. Following in her father’s footsteps, she seized the chance to showcase her talent on an international stage.
The San Sebastián team Zuatzu KE featured two young talents: the son of Xabi Alonso, current Bundesliga champion as Bayer Leverkusen’s manager, and the son of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s head coach and Premier League runner-up. Both players, who competed in the B16 category and stood out in midfield, had their famous fathers in attendance. Alonso accompanied his team from the bench, while Arteta was seen supporting discreetly from the stands.
Finally, in the B10 category, the younger brother of Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin defended the net for Ultimate Madrid, wearing the same jersey number as his brother and following in his footsteps as a skilled goalkeeper.
This isn’t the first time that sports figures attend the Donosti Cup to watch their children compete. In past editions, the tournament has welcomed family members of players like Xabi Prieto, Raúl González, Juan Carlos Unzué, Gabi Fernández, and Joan Capdevilla, solidifying its reputation as a gathering place for new generations and the families of professional footballers.
