Sports clubs are investing in esports the same way as their traditional athletes
Manchester City's EA FC players Joao Vasconcelos and Matias Bonanno have won three straight ePremier League titles. As they head to the eChampions League in Manchester, they explain how the club's investment in coaches and sports psychologists is helping them compete at the highest level.
Matias “Bonanno” Bonanno yells during his EA FC 26 match against Leeds United on March 30 as his teammate Joao “jafonsogv” Vasconcelos watches on. Joao “jafonsogv” Vasconcelos dreamed of wearing the kits of some of the world’s largest teams. He didn’t fool himself, though.
Becoming an elite football player and playing at the Etihad probably wasn’t in his cards. Instead, he found another avenue to pursue his football dreams -- playing EA FC. Vasconcelos didn’t just thrive.
He became one of the world’s top players, allowing him to wear the jersey of one of the world’s most prestigious clubs, Manchester City. "I always wanted to be a football player. I couldn’t have made it," Vasconcelos said.
"Esports gave me the door. I could realize these dreams of representing such big clubs as Man City. " Vasconcelos and his teammate Matias “Bonanno” Bonanno will represent Manchester City against 35 other teams from across Europe on the virtual pitch on Friday and Saturday in the EA FC 26 eChampions League in Manchester.
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