Former football superstar Gerard Piqué has successfully transformed his career from a world-class defender to a prominent figure in the business and entertainment sectors, particularly in the rapidly expanding world of esports. His attendance at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh underscored his commitment to this new direction. Piqué’s experience at the EWC, the world’s biggest esports festival, reinforced his conviction that esports holds significant promise for the future.
Piqué was impressed by the scale of the event and the investment made by Saudi Arabia. At the EWC, he actively participated in the EA FC game week Showmatch, joining Team Kaká against Ronaldo Nazário. His involvement extended to touring the EWC Festival and appearing on the live show, EWC Spotlight. Beyond observation, Piqué is bringing his innovative Kings League concept, a hybrid of traditional football and esports elements, to the MENA region. He announced the launch of Kings League MENA in collaboration with Surge. This expansion is strategically aimed at tapping into the enthusiastic fanbase in the Middle East, where football and esports enjoy immense popularity. Piqué acknowledges the fast-paced growth of esports, recognizing its immense cultural significance. He sees the investment by Saudi Arabia as a strategic initiative to engage with a youthful demographic that will shape future trends. As the Esports World Cup 2025 continues, Piqué aims to lead the ongoing convergence of football and esports, contributing to this exciting evolution.