Football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká to face off in an Esports World Cup 2025 exhibition match this coming Thursday
The Esports World Cup 2025, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, saw a historic showdown between football legends Ronaldo Nazário and Kaká on August 9, 2025, at the stc Esports Arena in Riyadh Boulevard City.
This digital showdown was a celebration of both football history and the growth of esports, marking only the second Showmatch of its kind in the Esports World Cup. The event was part of the EWC Festival's EA SPORTS FC game week and Football Week at EWC 2025, which also included the EA SPORTS FC Pro World Championship.
The match was played in EA SPORTS FC 25 in a best-of-three format, with Kaká emerging victorious in all three matches. The combined prize pool for the Esports World Cup 2025 exceeded $70 million.
Ronaldo and Kaká shared their thoughts on the role of esports in the future of global sport and entertainment during the event. Gerard Piqué, founder of the Kings League, also used the opportunity to reveal team names, logos, and club presidents for the competition's MENA region debut.
The showmatch drew live and online audiences through the official Esports World Cup channels. The stage for the match featured a custom Brazilian street football theme, and in-person attendees were treated to interactive experiences, dedicated cheering sections, and post-match Q&As.
Magnus Carlsen, who also competed in the inaugural EWC Chess Tournament, and Cristiano Ronaldo were among the Esports World Cup 2025's roster of global ambassadors. The 2025 Showmatch raised the stakes by featuring two FIFA World Cup winners, further blurring the lines between traditional sports and competitive gaming.
Mike McCabe, COO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, stated that the appearance of Ronaldo and Kaká embodied the event's spirit, bridging the gap between the worlds of football and esports. The Esports World Cup 2025 featured over 2,000 players from 200 clubs competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games, making it a truly global event.
[1] stc Esports Arena, Riyadh Boulevard City, Saudi Arabia [2] Esports World Cup 2025 [3] Ronaldo Nazário and Kaká [4] EWC Spotlight, the event's premium broadcast series
- Despite the Esports World Cup 2025 primarily focusing on digital games, an exceptional moment occurred when football legends Ronaldo Nazário and Kaká residing in the stc Esports Arena, Riyadh Boulevard City, Saudi Arabia, squared off in a traditional football Showmatch.
- The Esports World Cup 2025, with its diverse lineup of 2,000 players from 200 clubs, showcased a blend of sports and esports, even featuring a significant Showmatch between Ronaldino and Kaká in football on the digital stage of EWC Spotlight.
