Melbourne City FC sign A-League’s first FIFA eSports player
Melbourne City FC has become the first A-League club to sign an official FIFA eSports player, Melbourne-based Marcus Gomes.
A 20-year-old FIFA console game fanatic, enthusiastic local footballer and regular eSports competitor, Gomes is the third FIFA player to sign with a City Football Group owned team, alongside New York City FC’s Christopher Holly and Manchester City’s Kieran Brown.
Melbourne-based Marcus travels to London this week to represent Melbourne City at the FIFA Interactive World Cup Grand Final (16th to 18th August), as the only Australian player in the 32 finalists from around the world.
His FIFA 17 form puts him in the top 32 FIFA players in the world, after he had more FIFA 17 FUT Champions Weekend League wins this year than any other PlayStation 4 player in the Rest of World region.
Welcoming his signing, Gomes stated “I started playing FIFA 2006 when I was nine, and I never could have imagined that the game would be where it is today, or that I would be signing a professional eSports contract with a club like Melbourne City.
“I have followed City for the last few years and I am really looking forward to wearing the City blue shirt at this year’s tournaments.”
Melbourne City Chief Executive Scott Munn added “we know that many of our younger fans are playing eSports regularly, and interest in the industry is growing in Australia and globally. With 16 million people playing FIFA worldwide, and the competitive FIFA scene taking shape, it is the right time for Melbourne City to move in to eSports.
“We see a huge amount of potential and ambition in Marcus. He is a huge football fan, has proven success as a player, and is passionate about representing Melbourne City and engaging with our fans.”
Article amended 19th August 2018 to reflect that South Melbourne FC signed FIFA player Peter Saisanas in 2015, and this year he respresented the club in World Cup play-offs in Dubai.
Images: 20-year-old Marcus Gomes signing as an eSports player for Melbourne City FC is welcomed by Tim Cahill and Daniel Arzani (top), Marcus [left] plays FIFA 17 against City player Ramy Najjarine as other players watch on (middle) and Marcus shakes hands with Melbourne City FC Chief Executive Scott Munn after signing his contract with the Club (below).
11th July 2017 - TEG APPOINTS NEW DATA, DIGITAL AND TECHNOLOGY MANAGING DIRECTOR
19th May 2017 - IEM ESPORTS DEBUT AUSTRALIAN EVENT ATTRACTS 8 MILLION GLOBAL VIEWERS
18th May 2017 - AUSTRALIAN FIRST AS ADELAIDE CROWS ACQUIRE ESPORTS TEAM
11th May 2017 - CHINESE SUPER LEAGUE DELIVERS VIRTUAL REALITY IN LIVE BROADCASTS
5th May 2017 - AFL LOOKS TO ESPORTS TO ENGAGE WITH NEW AUDIENCES
4th May 2017 - MOST PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS TO SOON HAVE AN ESPORTS PRESENCE
28th April 2017 - ASIAN GAMES 2022 TO FEATURE ESPORTS EVENTS
10th March 2017 - TEG LIVE PARTNERSHIP TO BRING IEM ESPORTS EVENT TO SYDNEY
24th November 2016 - MELBOURNE CITY FC LAUNCH ELITE WOMEN’S TRAINING FACILITY
27th March 2015 - MELBOURNE CITY FOOTBALL ACADEMY UNVEILED
20th November 2015 - IAAPA RECOGNISES ASIAN ATTRACTIONS FOR EXCELLENCE IN HUMAN RESOURCES, ENTERTAINMENT AND MARKETING
Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.
However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.
Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.
Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.
Click here to subscribe.
