https://arab.news/26jx2
- The Al-Hilal and Brazil star praised the tournament after leading 鈥楾eam Neymar Jr鈥� in a special sell-out competition
- The footballer talked of the 鈥榩romising future鈥� of esports and said gaming was a 鈥榮ignificant part鈥� of his life聽
RIYADH: Al-Hilal star Neymar Jr. has hailed the Esports World Cup as 鈥渁 great opportunity鈥� for 抖阴短视频 after he captained 鈥楾eam Neymar Jr鈥� in a special cross-competition event at Boulevard Riyadh City.
The Brazilian, a lifelong gaming fan who joined the Saudi Pro League champions in 2023, said the summer-long event had highlighted the Kingdom鈥檚 culture and hospitality to the international community.
鈥淭his is a great opportunity for the country, especially in terms of the visibility it has generated,鈥� Neymar said. 鈥淚t allows people to see what 抖阴短视频 is really like. I鈥檝e learned a lot of positive things since coming here. It鈥檚 a fantastic country, with positive and happy people, and I hope this event this the first of many in the years ahead because it has opened new doors for the world to experience 抖阴短视频.鈥�
Tuesday saw Brazil鈥檚 all-time top scorer lead 鈥楾eam Neymar Jr鈥� against a side captained by Mossad Al-Dossary, chairman of 抖阴短视频鈥檚 EWC Club Championship winners, Team Falcons. The match 鈥� which saw the two teams face off in Counter-Strike 2, Rocket League, and TEKKEN 8 鈥� ended with a 2-1 win for Neymar鈥檚 side.
The player had special praise for the capacity crowd inside the SEF Arena.
鈥淭he SEF Arena is incredible, I love it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e played here a bit, and it鈥檚 surreal to see what they鈥檝e accomplished in just a few months by building it. I love the vibe, everyone I鈥檝e met is so nice and the atmosphere is fantastic. This shows that 抖阴短视频 is doing something truly amazing in the gaming and esports world. The Kingdom has become a pioneer for the industry while opening up opportunities across for the region and whole world to be a part of.鈥�
As part-owner of Brazilian organization FURIA Esports, Neymar said he was excited about the industry鈥檚 future.
鈥淓sports undoubtedly has a promising future 鈥� it鈥檚 incredibly exciting for everyone involved and we鈥檙e now seeing young people with an opportunity to turn their passion into a career. I鈥檓 optimistic about the industry鈥檚 growth and the potential it holds for the next generation.鈥�
The star also spoke of the vibrant gaming culture he has experienced throughout his professional career, labeling it as 鈥渁 significant part鈥� of his life.
鈥淕aming culture is deeply embedded in the teams I鈥檝e played with. We often play together online, whether in hotels or while traveling,鈥� he said. 鈥淓sports is a big part of the world of football, as it鈥檚 a great way for us to relax and relieve stress.
鈥淥n a personal level, my interest in esports originates from the time I have outside of football. I find it incredibly relaxing; it helps me destress, connect with friends, and offers a different perspective on life. Some of my best memories are tied to playing games like 鈥淐ounter-Strike: Global Offensive,鈥� so esports has become a significant part of my life.鈥�
The eighth and final week of the EWC begins on Wednesday at Boulevard Riyadh City, with TEKKEN 8 and PUBG Battlegrounds action. ESL and Rocket League begin on Thursday. The PUBG Battlegrounds final is on Saturday, with the other three tournaments鈥� grand finals taking place on Sunday.