The Player Cup, an international youth football tournament, has gained significant star power with the announcement of Dimitri Payet and Ugo Crousillat as ambassadors. The tournament, reserved for players under 11, is set for its third edition on May 9 and 10 in La Ciotat, France.
“Having with us one of the most impactful players in OM history is a real source of pride,” said Nabil Abdou, founder of the tournament. “And as for Ugo, he is a monstrous athlete with a heart of gold.”
The partnership with Payet developed organically, according to Abdou. “Like everyone else, I knew Dimitri Payet through television. He thrilled me when he had the ball at his feet. I have deep respect for the player and everything he brought to OM,” he explained.
Abdou previously coached Payet’s eldest son, Noa, with the OM’s U13-U14 team, which sparked their initial connection. “I ran into him a few times, and he was always very kind. I suggested we quickly discuss the tournament on his social media, and he responded: ‘No Nabil, we’re going to do better than that, I’m going to be your ambassador.’” Abdou described the decision as both personally and athletically significant.
The connection with Ugo Crousillat came through mutual friends. “I met him in my quest for open-mindedness and what other sports can offer,” Abdou continued, noting his initial focus was primarily on football. After attending some of Crousillat’s matches, Abdou quickly recognized a champion and the polo player readily agreed to join the project.
The tournament is organized by the Player Académie, an organization dedicated to developing young talent in the region. Abdou created the event to fill a void in the city, aiming to establish a strong and unifying sporting event. The competition will feature twelve professional French clubs – including Olympique de Marseille, Olympique Lyonnais, and AS Monaco – alongside twelve amateur clubs from the Paris region, the Lyon area, and the Bouches-du-Rhône department.
Payet enjoyed nine seasons and over 320 matches with Olympique de Marseille, scoring 78 goals and providing 88 assists, according to OM.fr. The former French international, born March 29, 1987, in Réunion, also had stints with Lille and West Ham United, as detailed on Wikipedia. He most recently played for Vasco da Gama before announcing his retirement on March 22, 2026, as reported by Transfermarkt.
