Mato Grosso do Sul Development Center: Potential for social and sporting transformation in the state Credits: Rodrigo Moreira/CBF
Opened on Thursday morning (3), the Football Development Center of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul was praised for its potential to drive social and sporting transformation in the state. For the president of the Mato Grosso do Sul Football Federation (FFMS), Estevão Petrallás, the facility located in Campo Grande will be the “foundation” of local football.
“Mato Grosso do Sul will bring its youth system to Campo Grande and to a center that belongs to it, offered by FIFA through the Legacy (World Cup) work and, above all, through President Samir’s responsibility in resuming the construction works and delivering (the Development Centers) for use in the sport that is growing the most in the world. And football is an instrument of social inclusion. Samir and his board deserve congratulations. They are young leaders, but with a mindset focused on the future,” he said.
Estevão Petrallás celebrated the inauguration of the Football Development Center of the State of Mato Grosso do SulCredits: Rodrigo Moreira/CBF
Mato Grosso do Sul’s Development Center was the eighth inaugurated by the CBF since the project was revived in July 2025. Since then, units in Rondônia, Tocantins, Amapá, Sergipe, Santa Catarina, Espírito Santo and Piauí have gone into operation.
“We are very happy to deliver this Development Center. It is the eighth one we have delivered under this administration. Now we have six more that, God willing, we will deliver next year. I’m very happy to see all these kids and to see these Centers becoming a reality,” celebrated CBF Assets Director Catherine Veloso.
Samir Xaud and Estevão Petrallás together after unveiling the inauguration plaque of the Football Development Center of the State of Mato Grosso do SulCredits: Rodrigo Moreira/CBF
Pará had its facility delivered in 2014. CBF vice president and president of the Pará Football Federation, Ricardo Paul, commented on how Pará uses its Development Center, which is located in Belém.
“Pará has had its (Development) Center since 2015, and today it is a machine for youth competitions, training and development. I’m happy to see this project here in Mato Grosso do Sul and being delivered all across Brazil,” celebrated Paul, who also explained that investing in the grassroots of Brazilian football is synonymous with “technical development, social engagement and a means of transformation” for young people, as well as a path to renewing the Brazilian National Team.
“Whenever there is a renewal in a World Cup cycle, we ask ourselves what will be done differently and how we will get to the next World Cup. I have no doubt that the answer is investing in the grassroots, developing a new generation and bringing these boys, in addition to technical training, social engagement and a means of transformation. I am very proud to be part of this great moment of the new CBF, which looks at this in a responsible way,” he added.
CBF vice president and president of the Pará Football Federation Ricardo Paul during the inauguration ceremony of the Football Development Center of the State of Mato Grosso do SulCredits: Rodrigo Moreira/CBF
Praise from a four-time world champion
The inauguration ceremony of the Football Development Center of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul was attended by former center-back Ronaldão, a four-time world champion with the Brazilian National Team in 1994. He took part in the ceremony alongside Branco, a former left-back who was also a four-time world champion and is coordinator of Brazil’s Men’s Youth National Teams, and congratulated the CBF and FFMS on the achievement.
“I think Mato Grosso do Sul deserves congratulations; it is a wonderful space. It is the first Development Center I have visited together with the CBF, which deserves congratulations for the initiative. And the kids are here. I think Brazilian football has the chance to discover great players. The project is wonderful. Mato Grosso do Sul deserves congratulations for this Development Center,” he said.
Former center-back and 1994 world champion with the Brazilian National Team Ronaldão attended the inauguration of the Football Development Center of the State of Mato Grosso do SulCredits: Rodrigo Moreira/CBF
Pride of Mato Grosso do Sul
A multiple title winner with Fluminense, Palmeiras and São Paulo, midfielder Jean from Mato Grosso do Sul also attended the inauguration. Born in Campo Grande and with appearances for the Brazilian National Team, he said he was “honored and happy” to see a top-level facility available in his home state.
“I feel very honored and happy to see the work and commitment of the Mato Grosso do Sul Federation with President Samir in this complex. Here we will certainly see great talents developing their football. But it’s not just football: it’s human development and health. That is the priority. (…) Seeing something so great in our state is truly something that fills our eyes with pride and excitement. The kids here will be able to grow, develop, and that will be very important for us,” he concluded.
Champion with São Paulo, Fluminense and Palmeiras and with appearances for the National Team, midfielder Jean celebrated the inauguration of the Football Development Center of Mato Grosso do Sul, his home stateCredits: Rodrigo Moreira/CBF
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
