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Football legends Ronaldo Nazário and Kaká will share the stage in Riyadh this Thursday, August 9, as they face off in the Esports World Cup 2025 Showmatch. The clash will unfold at the STC Arena during the EA SPORTS FC game week of the EWC Festival, bringing together two global icons in a celebration of both football history and the rapid growth of esports.
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The match will be played in EA SPORTS FC 25 and feature a best-of-three format designed to showcase skill, competition, and entertainment in equal measure. It will also be staged within a custom-built environment inspired by Brazilian street football, with design elements like collectible cards and graffiti art adding a nostalgic but modern feel. Fans attending in person can expect interactive experiences, dedicated cheering sections, and post-match Q&As, while global audiences will be able to watch live as part of the EWC’s broadcast schedule.
This is only the second time the Esports World Cup has hosted a Showmatch of this kind. The 2024 edition featured Neymar Jr. alongside Mossad “Msdossary” Al-Dossary from Team Falcons, setting a precedent for bringing football stars into the esports spotlight. The 2025 version raises the stakes, placing two FIFA World Cup winners against one another in a digital showdown that reflects the tournament’s aim of bridging traditional sports and competitive gaming.
Mike McCabe, COO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said Ronaldo and Kaká’s appearance embodies the event’s spirit.
“Ronaldo and Kaká embody competitive excellence and legacy, drawing passionate support from fans around the world – everything great sport aspires to achieve. Their presence at the Esports World Cup reflects values that connect traditional sport and gaming, showing how those worlds are coming together in ways that truly resonate with fans. Bringing together legends who inspire multiple generations and communities is what makes this Showmatch truly special. We’re honoured to have them with us on this stage, especially during football week.”
The two players will also appear on EWC Spotlight, the event’s premium broadcast series, to share their thoughts on the role of esports in the future of global sport and entertainment. Their presence underscores the growing crossover between professional sports and the competitive gaming scene, especially at a time when esports is positioning itself as a global spectator sport on par with traditional athletics.
Football Week at EWC 2025 also includes the EA SPORTS FC Pro World Championship and the Kings League MENA Presentation on August 10. Founded by Gerard Piqué, the Kings League combines seven-a-side football with fan-driven rules and digital interactivity. Its Riyadh debut will see Piqué reveal team names, logos, and club presidents, including well-known regional creators, as the competition expands into the MENA region.
The Esports World Cup 2025 runs through August 24, featuring over 2,000 players from 200 clubs competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a combined prize pool of more than $70 million. The roster of global ambassadors this year includes Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen, who also competed in the inaugural EWC Chess Tournament in late July.