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Two of Brazil’s greatest footballers are trading their boots for controllers this weekend, as Kaká and Ronaldo Nazário go head-to-head in a special EA SPORTS FC 25 Showmatch at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh.

The match will kick off on Saturday, 9 August, live on stage at the STC Arena during football week at the EWC Festival. Instead of sprinting down the pitch, the former Ballon d’Or winners will be battling it out in a best-of-three digital derby, proof that even legends of the beautiful game can embrace the growing world of esports.

This year’s showdown builds on last year’s debut Showmatch, which saw Neymar Jr take on Team Falcons’ Mossad “Msdossary” Al-Dossary across multiple games. Now, the focus is all on EA FC, with a creative set-up inspired by Brazilian street football, classic trading cards, and graffiti art, giving fans a healthy dose of nostalgia with a modern twist.

Mike McCabe, COO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, says the pairing of Kaká and Ronaldo is exactly what the event is about.

“Ronaldo and Kaká embody competitive excellence and legacy, drawing passionate support from fans around the world – everything great sport aspires to achieve,” he said. “Their presence reflects values that connect traditional sport and gaming, showing how those worlds are coming together in ways that truly resonate with fans.”

Fans in Riyadh will get more than just the match itself. Both players are set to appear on EWC Spotlight, the tournament’s premium broadcast series, where they’ll share their thoughts on football, gaming, and the future of global sport. There’ll also be cheering sections, post-match Q&As, and exclusive fan rewards to keep the energy high.

The Showmatch is part of a packed football-themed weekend at EWC 2025, which also features the EA SPORTS FC Pro World Championship and the Kings League MENA Presentation on 10 August. Founded by Gerard Piqué, Kings League is a fast-paced, seven-a-side competition that mixes football with fan-driven rules and digital interactivity — and this will be its first outing in the MENA region.

EWC 2025 is the largest esports event in the world, running until 24 August and featuring over 2,000 players and 200 clubs competing across 25 tournaments for a combined prize pool of more than US$70 million. Alongside Kaká and Ronaldo’s appearance, this year’s event also boasts global ambassadors like chess champion Magnus Carlsen and football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Whether you’re there for the football, the gaming, or just the spectacle of two sporting icons facing off in a virtual arena, this weekend’s Showmatch is shaping up to be one for the history books.

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