Children between 5 and 16 years old have trained at one of Moises Caicedo's and his family's "Nino Moi 23" football academies since 2025, starting in the Guamani neighborhood of southern Quito [1, 2]. The 24-year-old Chelsea midfielder, who came from a humble background and childhood hardship in Santo Domingo, has helped grow the academies to 38 locations across Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands [1, 2].
Currently, about 1,500 children and teenagers train in these centers, which focus on vulnerable communities where youth football training is scarce [1, 2]. The academies also seek to prevent children from being recruited by criminal gangs that exploit poverty, lack of education, and limited opportunities, offering a positive social influence through sport [1, 2].
Marcos Caicedo, Moises's brother and president of the academies, said, "The best footballers come from humble backgrounds. Moises is a prime example of this, so the idea is to reach areas where there is very little access to youth football training" [1].
Galo Rodriguez, sporting director, added, "Moises's wish is for the children to have the opportunity to play football, to see sport as a profession, a way of life for them and their families. He wants to give the children that space and the tools to develop in a better environment" [1]. He said all the kids dream of becoming professional players and international role models, with a World Cup appearance the "icing on the cake." [1]
Moises Caicedo will play in his second World Cup [1, 2]. He hopes academy graduates can form a team competing at national and international levels [1, 2]. The Ecuadorian government has acknowledged the risk of criminal gangs recruiting children due to economic and geographic challenges [1, 2].
The football academies continue expanding their reach across Ecuador, with the goal of offering young players safe training spaces and guidance toward success in sport and life [1, 2].