Past and Present Footballing Stars with Esports Organisations

While an incredibly lucrative career, being a professional footballer is relatively short, with the overwhelming majority of footballers retiring before the age of forty. To occupy themselves after their career is over and keep that competitive spark burning bright, it is becoming increasingly common for athletes to invest in esports as the rift between Esports and traditional sports becomes narrower and narrower.

So, here are ten footballing stars, past and present, who own or invest in Esports organizations.

David De Gea, born November 7, 1990, in Madrid, Spain, is a highly accomplished Spanish goalkeeper known for his remarkable shot-stopping abilities and agility. He began his professional career at Atlético Madrid before making a high-profile move to Manchester United in 2011. De Gea quickly established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, earning multiple individual accolades and helping Manchester United to several domestic and international titles. His acrobatic saves and consistent performances have solidified his place as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in modern football.

Juan Mata, born on April 28, 1988, in Burgos, Spain, is a versatile Spanish midfielder celebrated for his technical skills, vision, and creativity on the field. Mata started his professional career at Real Madrid Castilla before making a name for himself at Valencia CF. In 2011, he joined Chelsea FC, playing a pivotal role in the team's success, winning the UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Europa League. Mata's intelligence on the ball and ability to unlock defenses with his precise passing has made him a valuable asset to every team he has played for, including Manchester United, where he has continued to showcase his talent and contribute to the team's achievements.

Bruno Fernandes, born on September 8, 1994, in Maia, Portugal, is an immensely talented Portuguese midfielder known for his dynamic playing style, goal-scoring ability, and leadership qualities. Fernandes began his professional career at Novara in Italy before moving to Udinese and subsequently to Sporting CP in Portugal, where he became one of Europe's most promising midfielders. In 2020, Fernandes made a highly anticipated transfer to Manchester United, where he made an immediate impact, revitalizing the team's midfield and becoming a key catalyst for their attacking play. His vision, passing range, and knack for scoring crucial goals have made him a fan favorite and a vital component of Manchester United's pursuit of success both domestically and in European competitions.

In October 2021, David De Gea created Rebels Gaming. In 2022, Rebels Gaming announced that professional footballers Juan Mata and Bruno Fernandes would be shareholders. The organization hasn't achieved many memorable accolades; hopefully, this will soon change.

David Beckham is a global icon whose career transcended football, leaving a mark on the sport and the wider world. Beckham rose through Manchester United's youth academy ranks, where he emerged as a talented midfielder renowned for his exceptional passing, crossing, and set-piece ability. His tenure at Manchester United saw him win numerous domestic and international titles, including six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, which came with the famed "treble" in 1999.

Beckham's journey continued with successful stints at Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain, solidifying his status as one of his generation's most recognizable and marketable athletes.

In retirement, Beckham has made several exciting business moves, his most famous being the ownership he gained of MLS side Inter Miami. Alongside owning an MLS team, David Beckham is a co-owner of the British organization - Guild Esports. The former England and Manchester United star co-founded Guild in 2020 and has had rosters in VALORANT, FIFA (EA FC), Fortnite, Rocket League and CS2.

The British organization has a team in both Men's and Women's Counter-Strike, with the male counterpart being the acquisition of the Kosovan squad - Bad News Eagles, who made a name for themselves on the global stage after qualifying for three consecutive Major tournaments without an organization. The team now plays under the name "Guild Eagles" but has not been the same team since the transition to CS2.

KRÜ Esports, founded in October 2020, is an Argentinian organization owned by the famous footballer Sergio Agüero and co-owned by the world-renowned Lionel Messi. KRÜ has been a highly regarded name in multiple esport titles: VALORANT, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike. It serves as a beautiful connection between real-life sports and esports.

Sergio Agüero, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 2, 1988, rose to prominence as a prolific striker renowned for his goal-scoring prowess and agility. Starting at Independiente in Argentina, he made a name for himself before joining Atlético Madrid in 2006, where he flourished as one of the world's finest strikers. In 2011, Agüero made a high-profile move to Manchester City, where he became a legend, playing a pivotal role in the club's success, including memorable Premier League title wins and unforgettable moments like his last-minute title-winning goal in 2012. Throughout his career, Agüero amassed numerous individual accolades and represented Argentina in multiple FIFA World Cups and Copa América tournaments. In 2021, he embarked on a new journey, joining Barcelona after a decade-long spell at Manchester City, solidifying his status as one of football's greatest strikers.

Lionel Messi, born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, is considered one of the greatest footballers ever. Rising through Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, Messi made his first-team debut at 17. Since then, he has mesmerized the football world with his extraordinary dribbling skills, vision, and goal-scoring prowess. Messi's illustrious career at Barcelona spanned over two decades, during which he won numerous domestic and international titles, including multiple UEFA Champions League trophies and La Liga titles. He has broken countless records, including becoming Barcelona's all-time leading goal scorer. Messi's individual accolades include multiple FIFA Ballon d'Or awards, further solidifying his status as one of the sport's icons. In 2021, Messi made a highly-publicized move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), embarking on a new chapter in his remarkable career. Throughout his journey, Messi has redefined the art of football and inspired millions worldwide with his humility and dedication to the sport.

Casemiro's career is a testament to resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Rising through the ranks of São Paulo's youth academy, he quickly established himself as a tenacious midfielder with a knack for breaking up opposition attacks and dictating play with his precise passing. His talent caught the attention of top European clubs, leading to a move to Real Madrid in 2013. At Real Madrid, Casemiro evolved into a linchpin of the team's midfield, renowned for his ability to control the tempo of matches.

Alongside both Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić in the midfield, he played a pivotal role in Los Blancos' remarkable success, contributing to multiple La Liga titles and five UEFA Champions League triumphs. Casemiro's performances earned him widespread recognition as one of the finest defensive midfielders in the world, netting him a transfer to Manchester United in the twilight of his career, where he currently plays.

Casemiro launched his Esports organization, Case Esports, in 2020. Throughout their time in Esports, they have had teams in League of Legends, VALORANT, and CS2 but still need a League of Legends roster.

Case Esports' VALORANT roster is fully international, but their CS2 roster is entirely Brazilian. The team's highlight is 17-year-old prodigy João "snow" Vinicius.

Beginning his career in Denmark with FC Midtjylland, Kjaer quickly gained attention for his composure, aerial ability, and tactical awareness. His impressive performances earned him a move to Europe's top leagues, where he showcased his talents for clubs such as Wolfsburg, Sevilla, Lille, and now AC Milan.

Kjaer's solid defense and ability to read the game effectively led to him becoming a key figure in the heart of the defense for both club and country. His leadership qualities were particularly evident during his tenure as captain of the Danish national team. In addition to his defensive contributions, Kjaer's distribution skills and ability to initiate attacks from the back have also been noteworthy throughout his career.

This week, Simon Kjaer announced his Esport organization, WOPA Esport, by signing a Danish CS2 squad containing four players from CEPTER BITSKINS and Christian "Vster" Vestergaard.

Fellow countryman Christian Vestergaard, the founder of the CS2 site HLTV.org, will join Kjaer in owning the squad. The AC Milan player has decided to enter Esport due to his love for the game, stating in a social media post, "I love playing Counter-Strike myself, and I hope to be able to help young girls and boys find and cultivate their passion."

Gerard Piqué, born on February 2, 1987, in Barcelona, Spain, is a highly accomplished Spanish professional footballer known for his exceptional defensive abilities and leadership. Piqué once said, 'Football is my passion, my life,' began his career in Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, before moving to Manchester United in 2004. While at Manchester United, he showcased his defensive prowess and contributed to the team's success, winning multiple Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League trophy. In 2008, Piqué returned to Barcelona, becoming a cornerstone of the team's defense, forming a formidable partnership with players like Carles Puyol. With Barcelona, Piqué has won numerous domestic and international titles, including multiple UEFA Champions League trophies and La Liga titles. His contributions to club and country, including the Spanish national team, where he played a vital role in their triumphs at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship in 2012, solidified his status as one of the most respected defenders of his generation.

In December 2021, he and Ibai founded KOI Esports, which has cultivated rosters in multiple esport titles. Their Counter-Strike team reached the PGL Copenhagen 2024 Major. The roster consists of Renato "stadodo" Gonçalves, David "dav1g" Granado Bermudo, Adam "adamS" Marian, Alejandro "mopoz" Fernández, and Tiago "JUST" Moura. This organization has attended many world-class events.

Vinicius Junior, born on July 12, 2000, is a Brazilian footballer known for his pace, dribbling skills, and flair on the pitch. He began his youth career at Flamengo in Brazil, where he quickly rose through the ranks, showcasing his talent and catching the attention of football scouts worldwide.

In 2017, at 16, Vinicius made his professional debut for Flamengo, becoming the club's youngest player to score in the Copa Libertadores. His performances garnered interest from top European clubs, and in July 2018, he signed with Real Madrid for a reported fee of around €45 million.

Since joining Real Madrid, Vinicius has continued to develop as a player, featuring prominently in the team's lineup. He has shown flashes of brilliance, including his dribbling ability, speed, and an eye for goal. While he has faced scrutiny and criticism at times for inconsistency, he has also demonstrated immense potential and has become an integral part of Real Madrid's squad.

Internationally, Vinicius has represented Brazil at various youth levels and has been touted as one of the country's brightest talents. His career trajectory suggests that he has the potential to become one of the top players in world football in the coming years.

LOUD is a Brazilian multi-gaming esports organization fielding teams in League of Legends, Free Fire, and Valorant.

Founded in 2019 by Matthew Ho, Jean Ortega, and Bruno "PlayHard" Bittencourt. LOUD became very quickly known in the esports world. Though mostly acknowledged for its accomplishments in Free Fire, LOUD broadened its scope.

LOUD made its League of Legends debut in 2021, but at first, it needed help finding success. But in 2022, the group experienced a metamorphosis, winning its first championship title with a commanding 3-0 triumph over paiN Gaming following a difficult beginning in the CBLOL 2022.

A noteworthy accomplishment occurred when LOUD won the CBLOL 2023 2nd Split championship title. Surprisingly, LOUD's triumph over paiN Gaming in the championship match was their third straight win, securing their place as the CBLOL's three-time winners.

LOUD's qualification for the 2023 League of Legends World Championship (Worlds 2023) is one of the biggest results of this win.

Mesut Özil is a German football maestro known for his exquisite playmaking, unparalleled vision, and graceful style on the pitch. He began at his hometown club, Schalke, before moving to Werder Bremen and eventually solidifying his status as a footballing artist at Real Madrid. Özil's elegance on the ball captivated fans worldwide. His tenure at Arsenal is probably his most well-known, and he mesmerized audiences with his precise passing and ability to unlock defenses with effortless ease. In the latter stages of his career, the German moved to Turkey, playing for Fenerbahçe and İstanbul Başakşehir.

Mesut Özil announced his Esports organization, M10 Esports, in 2018. M10 has had teams in both FIFA and Fortnite, and their goal is not just to win trophies but to help young people nurture talent both on and off the virtual pitch and celebrate diversity in the gaming space.

Aymeric Laporte, born May 27, 1994, is a Spanish professional footballer known for his defensive prowess and ball-playing abilities. He began his youth career at Aviron Bayonnais before joining Athletic Bilbao's renowned Lezama academy in Spain.

Laporte made his senior debut for Athletic Bilbao in 2012 and quickly established himself as one of La Liga's most promising defenders. He earned a reputation for his composed style of play, strong aerial presence, and ability to start attacks from the back with his passing.

In January 2018, Laporte made a significant career move by joining Manchester City in the English Premier League for a club-record fee reported to be around £57 million. His arrival bolstered City's defensive line, and he became a key figure in their pursuit of domestic and European success under manager Pep Guardiola.

During his time at Manchester City, Laporte has won multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and League Cups, showcasing his defensive reliability and contributing goals from set-pieces. He has been praised for his intelligence on the pitch and his ability to read the game.

Due to the strong competition for a starting place in the France squad and the depth of talent in defense, Laporte made his debut for the Spanish national team in 2021, opting to represent Spain over his country of birth.

Laporte's career trajectory suggests that he is one of the top defenders in world football, with his combination of defensive solidity, technical ability, and tactical intelligence making him a valuable asset for both club and country.

Aymeric founded AYM Esports in December 2021. AYM has participated in a wide variety of esports, such as League of Legends, VALORANT, Call of Duty, and FIFA. Its most successful run was in Call of Duty, where the organization amassed around $37,000 in winnings. Unfortunately, however, AYM has had little luck in the other esports it has competed in.

Gullit arrived on the world footballing stage in the 1980s and 1990s, playing for clubs such as Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, and Chelsea. He was known for his exceptional technique, physical presence, and ability to play multiple positions, including midfielder, forward, and even defender at times. Gullit achieved great success throughout his career, winning numerous domestic league titles, European trophies, and individual awards, including the Ballon d'Or in 1987.

Ruud Gullit has also dabbled in Esports, founding Team Gullit in 2018. The Dutch organization focuses solely on FIFA, or EA FC, as it is now called.

The now 61-year-old Ballon d'Or winner's team is different from most EA FC teams, focusing not only on attending and winning tournaments. Team Gullit was the world's first FIFA academy, focusing mainly on scouting players and developing them into future stars.