Everton star Amadou Onana has started work to create something of a legacy for the future, with the creation of a football tournament backed by the European Parliament.
That’s according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who covers comments from the Everton midfielder as he launches his tournament for young footballers.
The five-a-side tournament, titled Play for Democracy and scheduled for May 25th, will see young footballers aged between 16 and 18 given their chance to make an impression.
The tournament in Brussels has been organised in collaboration alongside the European Parliament, with the winners set to receive tickets for Belgium’s clash with Montenegro.
The idea appears to be to foster team play and democracy, with the tournament accompanied by the hashtag #useyourvote, as well as encouraging young people in the Everton midfielder’s homeland to use their vote when given the chance.
It is very much a legacy project for the 22-year-old, who is seemingly keen to use his growing status in the game after shining in the Premier League for Everton in the last two years.
“Football is a team sport where all players on the team have a role to play,” he said.
“On the ground as in democracy, there is a collective responsibility where everyone has a role to play to succeed together. And for that, everyone’s opinion counts.
“As a citizen of the European Union and as a professional footballer, these are values that I share and that I want to defend.
“Through football and this tournament, I want to show the youngest that their opinion counts, that their voice counts, that it is an opportunity, and that we must use it.”
🇧🇪 Amadou Onana crée un tournoi de football avec le Parlement Européen ! 🇪🇺
🗣️ « Le football est un sport collectif où tous les joueurs de l’équipe ont un rôle à jouer. Sur le terrain comme en démocratie, il y a une responsabilité collective où tous ont un rôle à jouer pour… pic.twitter.com/e3Ej0kZBLN— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) May 15, 2024