The Esports World Cup Foundation has appointed Cristiano Ronaldo, a Portuguese all-time football legend, as the global ambassador to increase the tournament’s visibility worldwide.
“The commitment, drive, talent, and intensity I have been able to see in esports athletes is no different from what I’ve experienced on the pitch,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said about the announcement on June 13.
As esports continues to become synonymous with traditional sports, Ronaldo has been actively involved with the tournament’s inception and attended last summer’s EWC 2024 closing ceremony in Riyadh, where the football star celebrated Team Falcons’ club championship win.
Among the 24 games that are being played in this year’s EWC, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves also has Ronaldo as a playable character, deepening his ties in the world of esports. Other games include a few returning titles from last year, such as League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter Strike 2, and many more.
The EWC tournament this year will feature 2,000 esports players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries, competing in various esports titles for a total prize pool of $70 million.
