Gerard Piqué Praises the 2025 Esports World Cup

Some individuals demonstrate a unique mindset that becomes a decisive factor in achieving success across various fields. This ambitious spirit is embodied by football legend Gerard Piqué.

After a prolific career filled with titles on the field, Piqué continues his journey of excellence by investing in new opportunities in the gaming and electronic sports sector, highlighting the growing intersection between traditional sports and the digital world.

Three years after his last match with FC Barcelona, Piqué launched the “Kings League” and entered the esports arena, becoming one of the key figures in sectors among the fastest-growing worldwide.

During his visit to Riyadh to participate in the 2025 esports World Cup, the Spanish star, who has won both the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League, expressed great admiration for the event’s scale and the high level of organization behind this major global event.

Piqué said, “Attending the event in person is entirely different from watching it on television.”

He continued, “The atmosphere here is exceptional, and the facilities and investments made by Saudi Arabia through this tournament are unprecedented.”

He added, “I spent my first moments in the country enjoying a fun atmosphere and watched the exhibition match between Ronaldo and Kaka, as well as the finals.”

Piqué participated in the an exhibition match during the EA Sports FC 25 game week, supporting Kaka’s team against Ronaldo Nazário.

He also toured the FIFA World Cup esports festival and appeared on “EWC Spotlight,” a weekly program broadcast from Riyadh Boulevard City, featuring prominent figures from various fields.

Over recent years, Piqué has launched multiple projects in vital sectors, including the Kings League and his involvement with Movistar KOI esports team, establishing his position as a leader at the crossroads of traditional and electronic sports.

Piqué affirmed that his experience at the esports World Cup strengthened his belief in the importance of the sector. He emphasized that Saudi investments in this field reflect an ambitious vision aligned with global trends. He said, “I believe this is a highly significant sector targeting mainly youth.”

He continued, “Although it is still in its early stages and requires further development and maturity, the level of enthusiasm and engagement is remarkable and impressive.”

He added, “Our partner, the esports World Cup organization, has recorded exceptional numbers, with peak viewership reaching 3.1 million for one match, reflecting significant interest.”

He further stated, “Saudi Arabia’s strategic decision to engage with the youth audience, who represent the future of this sector, is very smart. These investments embody a long-term vision and a firm belief in the promising opportunities this sector offers.”

He explained, “I have communicated with many officials. While this is only the second edition of the tournament, the ambitions for continued growth are very high.”

During his visit to Riyadh, Piqué announced the participating teams in the Kings League, which will soon launch in the region, including:

– SXB FC led by Ahmed Al-Qahtani (Saudi Arabia).

– Ultra Chmicha led by Ilyas Al-Maliki (Morocco).

– Red Zone led by Maher Sultana (Jordan).

– 3BS led by Hani Al-Qablan (Jordan).

– FWZ FC led by Fawaz Hammad (Kuwait).

– Turbo led by Saleh Tarboun (Egypt).

– DR7 led by Mufreh Asiri (Saudi Arabia).

Piqué explained, “We aimed to create a format that combines elements of traditional football with the electronic gaming experience. Our audience, 85% of whom are under 35, aligns strongly with the objectives of the esports World Cup.”

He concluded, “We are very excited to be in the region, which we see as the ideal environment to launch the Kings League, given its passion that brings together esports, football, and talent.”

Matches for the Kings League are expected to take place soon in the region, representing one of the most prominent events in the global sports and entertainment scene.

This tournament has been specifically designed to appeal to sports fans in Saudi Arabia and the region alike.

The 2025 esports World Cup will continue until August 24, featuring the final week’s competitions in three popular games: Counter-Strike 2, Street Fighter 6, and Crossfire. Crossfire will be making its first appearance at the global event. It is one of the most popular first-person shooter games, with over a billion registered players and more than 8 million active users simultaneously across over 80 countries.

The New Global Sports Conference (NGSC2025) will conclude the 2025 esports World Cup, serving as the flagship event for the esports World Cup Foundation. It is a vital platform that brings together senior executives, leaders from traditional sports, esports, gaming, entertainment, technology, and business under one roof.

The New Global Sports Conference was designed to be the leading international forum where gaming, esports, sports, and entertainment intersect in Riyadh. It serves as a decision-makers’ summit focused on the future, fostering strategic cooperation.