Valencia CF president Anil Murthy was one of the protagonists in the ‘PUMA Welcome VCF Academy’ event, in which 250 children and their family members gathered at the Ciudad Deportiva. In attendance was club captain Jaume Doménech, alongside representatives of VCF Mestalla and VCF Femenino.

Murthy commented on a successful Tuesday for the club the previous day, with the win over Chelsea in the Champions League and strong showing in the UEFA Youth League against the English side.

"It's very important -and the parents should understand this. The future is here, but you have to study. You have to work hard. It isn't easy to become a professional footballer. It's very difficult," he told the children, aged between 5 and 12 years old.

"Jaume, Carlos Soler, José Luis Gayà, Ferran Torres, Kang In Lee, Toni Lato... they've worked hard. You have to work very hard to be a footballer, but here at Valencia CF -at the VCF Academy- you have to study as well."

"This year we are going to do everything to ensure that this club continues to grow," he continued.

"Yesterday we won a very important game, and on Sunday we are going to play Leganés. We have calmness today. We have a new coach: Albert Celades. We have the confidence of the players in their club and their coach. We are going to fight again this year to achieve our objectives."