Saluting some of the finest FIFA eSports players

When looking at the eSports industry, we’ve had some top gaming titles play a key role in the rise of competitive gaming in recent years. League of Legends and Dota are certainly two of them, although FIFA’s impact cannot be disputed either. A title that has more than played its part in the world of eSports’ meteoric rise, it’s one of the most popular games ever.

These days, though, FIFA has been replaced by the relatively new EA Sports FC franchise and titles like eFootball. Many fans of the game are still pining for the good old days of FIFA, though, particularly given the top professional eSports players who entertained global audiences over the years. Alongside watching the Premier League action in the real world and enjoying options like football betting, tuning in for some unmissable FIFA games was an enticing proposition for so many football fans.

Although competitions like FC Pro Leagues are still going strong and it’s an excellent centralized esports competition in its own right, much of the football gaming community still misses the days when FIFA was the main attraction. There have also been some undoubted stars born off the back of their FIFA eSports exploits, many of whom earned huge sums of money playing the game in a competitive scenario.

From the stunning goals they’d score to the brave tactics they’d employ under pressure, these professionals represented the pinnacle of virtual football excellence and will always be regarded as legendary eSports players because of it. So, while professional players everywhere are getting to grips with the latest instalment of EA Sports FC, below we salute some of the finest eSports players from the world of FIFA, a title so many eSports fans still miss.

Vejrgang

Not many professional FIFA eSports stars can say they’ve managed to record 535 straight wins. Yes, you did read that correctly. Well, Vejrgang can. The prodigy became a professional and didn’t look back, with his remarkable record at such a young age enabling him to see off some of FIFA’s biggest names during that time. He won the FIFAe Nations Cup 2 and the Virtual Bundesliga Club Championship at the tender age of just 17, while his entertaining performances made him a big pull for event organizers. Young emerging talents are hyped up a fair bit these days, but not many of them can do what Vejrgang did.

Nicolas99fc

With career earnings of around $574,416 at the time of writing, Nicolas99fc clearly excelled in the eSports arena. Referred to as “The Iceman” by his adoring fans, Nicolas Villalba - which is his real name - has represented some big teams and he’s won some massive tournaments, including the eChampions League in 2022. One of the most impressive players the FIFA eSports scene has given a platform to, Nicolas99fc rarely disappointed and he will never be forgotten by diehard FIFA eSports fans.

Paulo Neto

With three straight EMLS Championships to his name while competing for Atlanta United in the EMLS, Paulo Neto has a strong community of supporters behind him. Neto is a big fan of Chelsea star Pedro Neto, and while the Portuguese winger is yet to win the Premier League, Paulo Neto has topped the rankings on multiple occasions. Not only is he a tough competitor who thrives under pressure, but Paulo Neto’s immense array of skills and his ability to score screamers make him one of the most entertaining eSports players ever.

Tekkz

For a good few years now, a number of aspiring eSports professionals have been inspired by Tekkz’s rise. The British professional might have experienced some tough moments in his time, but they’ve been supplemented by some magical scenes and some iconic victories. Arguably the biggest moment of the lot came when he won the FUT 18 Champions Cup in Barcelona at just 16 years old. Since then, Tekkz was a player numerous teams wanted to sign, with his evident talent making him one of the biggest breakthrough stars the competitive FIFA scene has ever witnessed.

Manuel

A professional FIFA player who experienced some notable highs in 2023, Manuel “Manuel” Bachoore had it all. The highly respected Dutchman is the undisputed king of FIFA 23 after winning the eDivisie 2022/2023 championship. Known as Manuel, the likeable personality also managed to finish second place in the FIFAe Nations Cup and he lifted the FIFAe World Cup trophy to complete a quite remarkable year. A player who rose to almost every occasion no matter who he came up against, Manuel Bachoore is widely regarded as FIFA royalty.

Msdossary

Known as Msdossary, Mossad Aldossary is one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest ever stars in this particular sphere. He has won it all, from the FIFA eWorld Cup Grand Final to the Esports Player of the Year Award. A truly formidable opponent who was capable of beating anyone on his day, Msdossary continued to rise up the rankings after first bursting onto the scene in 2017. For any aspiring eSports professionals, this legendary figure was a true inspiration.

Umut

If you’ve watched some major eSports events over the years, then you’ve probably seen Umut turn it on before. The FIFA eWorld Cup 2022 win made him a huge name in the eSports world, particularly as he didn’t concede more than one goal during the knockout stages. As a result of his memorable triumph, Umut pocketed a staggering $250,000 before impressing in a number of other iconic FIFA events.

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EmreYilmaz

At one point, many fans saw EmreYilmaz as the best FIFA eSports player on the planet. His name grew after he won the eChampions League, defeating HHezerS 6-3 in a great final. The professional Turkish player clearly had the skills to pay the bills, and while some passionate FIFA fans wouldn’t have him near the top of their lists, there’s no denying just how special he could be on his day.