Esports have exploded in popularity over the past few years, transforming into a global phenomenon with a massive audience. What was once seen as a niche hobby has now become a multi-billion-dollar industry, attracting individuals from all walks of life, including sports icons. Footballers, who once dominated fields around the world, are now venturing into the esports realm, either by investing in established organizations or creating their own teams. This trend highlights the ever-growing intersection of traditional sports and esports, offering new opportunities for fans and players alike.
In this article, we’ll dive into some of the most prominent footballers who have either founded their own esports teams or joined existing organizations, paving the way for a new era in competitive gaming.
Gerard Piqué and KOI: A Champion of Esports in Spain
Gerard Piqué, the renowned former footballer of FC Barcelona, was one of the first footballers to embrace the esports world. After stepping away from active football and with the surge of esports’ popularity during the pandemic, Piqué found a new passion for the gaming community. In 2021, alongside renowned Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos, Piqué co-founded KOI, a Spanish esports organization.
KOI quickly gained popularity thanks to its diverse teams competing in various esports, including League of Legends, VALORANT, Counter-Strike 2, and Pokémon. Their success wasn’t just due to the duo’s fame but also the dedication of the players and staff behind the scenes. KOI’s rise within the esports community made it one of Europe’s most influential organizations, blending traditional sports fandom with the gaming universe.
Source: KOI
Sergio Agüero and KRÜ Esports: A Footballer’s Ambition
Sergio “Kun” Agüero, former Manchester City striker, entered the esports scene with the same passion and determination that made him a legend on the football field. In 2020, Agüero launched KRÜ Esports, his own organization focused on developing top-tier esports teams, particularly in VALORANT. His esports team quickly gained recognition in the competitive scene, with KRÜ Esports becoming a prominent force in the VCT Americas competition.
Agüero’s investment in esports extended beyond just ownership; his active participation and appearances in streams cemented his place as a bridge between traditional sports and the esports community. As a testament to KRÜ’s success, in 2023, Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest footballer of all time, became a partner in the organization, further solidifying the connection between football and esports.
Source: KRÜ
Casemiro and CASE Esports: Brazil’s Rising Star in Esports
Brazilian footballer Casemiro, known for his tenure with Real Madrid and his current role at Manchester United, is another footballer to embrace esports. Unlike other footballers who created their teams in Europe, Casemiro ventured into the esports scene in his native Brazil by founding CASE Esports.
With a deep love for Counter-Strike, CASE Esports focuses primarily on this popular esports title. Casemiro’s decision to create an esports organization in Brazil reflects the growing passion for competitive gaming in South America. His team has gained a strong presence in the local esports scene, and Counter-Strike remains a key pillar of their strategy.
Source: CASE
Vinícius Júnior and LOUD: Expanding Esports in Brazil
Vinícius Júnior, another Brazilian footballer and star of Real Madrid, entered the esports world in 2023 by joining LOUD, one of the most significant esports organizations in Brazil. Unlike other footballers, Vinícius didn’t found his team but took on the role of ambassador and board member for LOUD. His involvement with LOUD is part of a broader effort to continue growing Brazil’s already massive esports community, especially in titles like League of Legends and Free Fire.
LOUD’s success in Brazil and its increasing international presence made it an ideal platform for Vinícius to expand his involvement with gaming, while also offering him the chance to use his status to attract more followers to the world of esports.
Source: LOUD
Other Notable Footballers in Esports
Apart from the aforementioned footballers, several other notable figures from the football world have shown interest in esports, whether by owning teams or supporting the industry. These include:
- Thibaut Courtois: The Belgian goalkeeper is a partner of the esports organization Oxygen Esports.
- Álvaro Morata: The Spanish forward has invested in esports through the Spanish organization Go Warriors.
- Gareth Bale: The Welsh footballer has been involved with Esports Wales, a group promoting Welsh talent in competitive gaming.
- Borja Iglesias: Known for his passion for gaming, Borja Iglesias supports the Rivalry Esports organization.