Pioneers of the 1860s Advance with Global Celebrity Piqué in Tow
Kickin' It with the Kings League
By: Adrian Kuhn
Footie Talk
1860 Munich Alumni Rock the Kings League
Gerard Piqué, the legendary footballer, is now behind the Kings League - and two 1860 Munich ex-champs are also on board.
Munich - Aaron Berzel and Simon Seferings helped 1860 Munich reach the third division in 2018. Berzel played in a whopping 80 competitive games for the lions, while Seferings donned the traditional club from Giesing in 21 competitive matches.
A Trip Down Memory Lane with 1860
Both still keep a close eye on their old club. They enjoyed their time at 1860 with fondness, as Berzel and Seferings told the football portal, Home of Sports. Berzel refers to 1860 as his "heart club," and Seferings recalls "fondly, especially those promotion moments."
Meanwhile, Berzel and Seferings play together in the Kings League - a 7-a-side football league with unique rules and innovations, founded in 2022 by Piqué and other football celebs and internet streamers. After market entrances in Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and Italy, the Kings League launched in Germany this April.
The Road to the Kings League for Ex-1860 Players
Berzel and Seferings make up the Futbolistas Locos FC team. So, how did they end up in the Kings League? First contact was made through Oliver Beer, their ex-coach at 1860.
Tim Florian Mörtl, the team's manager, solidified the deal with Berzel and Seferings after the Kings League's approval. Within 12 hours, Mörtl and his team had to assemble a 14-player squad - which included Berzel and Seferings. The squad was off to Cologne for the Kings League in April.
The Kings World Cup of Clubs Makes a Stop in Paris
As one of three German teams, Futbolistas Locos FC qualified for the Kings World Cup of Clubs in Paris from June 1 to 14. But why did Berzel and Seferings opt for small-field games with unique rules over traditional football?
The Insider Scoop
Berzel knows the modern and innovative approach is appealing - especially for players from the Oberliga or even lower. "More players get a greater chance to shine in the Kings League," says Berzel, who retired in 2024.
Seferings agrees the Kings League is more attractive than amateur football. It's "almost more interesting to watch the Kings League than amateur football," says Seferings, making it clear he's not being disrespectful. In the Kings League, football is "about entertainment, not the other way around," Seferings explains.
Germany's Kings League Potential Revealed
Interest in the Kings League in Spain and Brazil is already immense, Berzel and Seferings report. Spain's Camp Nou in Barcelona sells out, and millions more watch the action online. Seferings even thinks the Kings League can already compete with second-tier leagues in these countries. Small-field games suit technically-skilled players from these regions, says Berzel. The Kings League already has professional training facilities in these areas and a global ecosystem in place.
Piqué sees the streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon, Twitter, Tiktok, and Instagram, not other sports or competing leagues, as the Kings League's main competitors. The league appeals to a young audience and bridges the gap between football and the streaming world. Berzel and Seferings dig that.
At the Kings World Cup of Clubs in Paris, Seferings led Futbolistas Locos FC, the best German team overall, to the round of 16, where they lost to the favored French team Unit3d. Meanwhile, Berzel cheered his teammates on from home due to conflicting schedules.
Both agree: the Kings League is still "in its infancy." But they're confident that it could be the future. And that's not just a passing thought.
FYI
- The Lion's Share: More Departures AwaitMunich's 1860 winger Morris Schröter faces a crucial season in Munich.
- The Big Second Round PlayerWerner hints at Lucoqui leaving 1860.
- Regionalliga Top Scorer in View1860 boss Werner reacts to it.
- The Four Lions Still Awaiting New HomesThree new players and ten departures are on the horizon for TSV 1860 Munich.
Aaron Berzel and Simon Seferings, former stars of 1860 Munich, now showcase their football skills in the unique 7-a-side Kings League, a league that offers an innovative and entertaining approach to the sport. Berzel, fondly referring to 1860 as his "heart club," believes the modern approach provides more opportunities for players from lower leagues to shine.
