Gerard Piqué is no stranger to reinventing himself. After conquering world football with Barcelona, Spain, and Manchester United, the legendary defender has seamlessly transitioned into a new arena – business, entertainment, and esports. Three years on from his final professional game at the Camp Nou, Piqué is proving that his second career may be just as impactful as his first.
This week, the former World Cup and Champions League winner arrived in Riyadh to take part in the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC), the world’s largest esports festival. And if first impressions are anything to go by, Piqué is convinced that esports represents the future.
“It’s amazing really. It’s one thing to watch it on a stream or on TV but it’s another thing entirely to see it in person,” Piqué said after taking in the atmosphere at Boulevard Riyadh City.
He was full of praise for Saudi Arabia’s ambition in hosting the event: “The setup and all the investment that Saudi Arabia has made with this event is unbelievable. I’m enjoying a lot of my first hours in the country.”
A Football Star in an Esports World
Piqué didn’t just watch from the sidelines. The Spaniard joined the Showmatch during EWC’s EA FC game week, lining up alongside Team Kaká against Brazilian icon Ronaldo Nazário. He also toured the sprawling EWC Festival and appeared on EWC Spotlight, a live show featuring celebrity guests and esports insiders.
For someone who has already created new sporting properties, Piqué’s visit wasn’t just about appearances – it was about vision.
Kings League Expands to MENA
Since retirement, Piqué has launched the Kings League, a seven-a-side competition mixing football tradition with esports-inspired rules, where celebrity presidents and streamers lead the teams. It has become a sensation in Spain and Europe, with millions of young fans engaging through digital platforms.
Now, he’s bringing that same energy to the Middle East. During his visit to Riyadh, Piqué officially announced the roster for the Kings League MENA, set to debut in partnership with Surge.
| Team | President | Country |
|---|---|---|
| SXB FC | Ahmed Alqahtani | Saudi Arabia |
| Ultra Chmicha | Ilyas Elmaliki | Morocco |
| Red Zone | Maher Sultaneh | Jordan |
| 3BS | Hani AlQoublam | Jordan |
| FWZ FC | Fawaz Hamad | Kuwait |
| Turbo | Saleh Tarboun | Egypt |
| DR7 | Mafrah Aseeri | Saudi Arabia |
“We wanted to create a format that was half coming from traditional football and half coming from the esports world, more like a video game concept,” Piqué explained. “Eighty-five percent of our audience is under 35 years old, so it’s similar to the Esports World Cup.”
The expansion into the MENA region makes sense. As Piqué noted, fans in Saudi Arabia and across the region share a passion for both football and esports, making it fertile ground for this hybrid sporting experiment.
Esports: The New Frontier
Piqué has been vocal about the rapid growth of esports and the opportunities it offers. The Esports World Cup Foundation recently shared with him a staggering statistic: one match peaked at 3.1 million viewers. For the Barcelona icon, those numbers show that gaming isn’t just entertainment – it’s a cultural force.
“It’s a very smart move by the Kingdom, to have this great reach to a young audience. These are the people who will consume and travel in the future. I think it’s a very smart investment,” he said.
Looking Ahead
As the Esports World Cup 2025 continues until August 24, featuring global tournaments across Crossfire, Counter-Strike 2, and Street Fighter 6, all eyes will also be on the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC 2025). The B2B summit will bring together decision-makers from gaming, esports, and traditional sport to chart the next chapter of competitive entertainment.
For Gerard Piqué, it’s already clear: the lines between football and esports are blurring, and he’s determined to be at the center of that transformation.
From lifting trophies at the Camp Nou to building new legacies in esports, Piqué’s post-football journey reflects the same ambition that defined his career – always ahead of the curve, always looking for the next big win.
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