RIYADH (SAUDI ARABIA) (ITALPRESS) – Al Nassr, the club that has already revolutionized international soccer with the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, signs another epic page in its history. This time, the stage is not the grass field, but the digital one: the Al Nassr Esports division, in partnership with Mkers, an international leader in competitive gaming, marks the Saudi club’s triumphant entry into Esports. Sublimating this initiative is the acquisition of Portuguese star player Joào Afonso Vasconcelos, known to the world as “Jafonso,” the FC24 Esports World Cup champion. With this acquisition, Al Nassr unites two Portuguese champions under the same symbol: living soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo and Jafonso, the world number one ranked FC PRO. A move that consolidates the club’s prestige on two fronts: real and virtual soccer.Al Nassr and Mkers have designed a new partnership model, creating a true shared asset. In addition to technical and competitive management, Mkers brings its commercial and strategic expertise, offering innovative marketing tools to maximize the impact of the Esports division. It is a partnership that reflects the Saudi club’s vision: not just to participate, but to excel, redefining Esports standards globally. After winning the world title in Riyadh in 2024, Jafonso represents the symbol of this ambitious initiative. The young Portuguese prodigy will wear the official jersey of the Al Nassr Esports division powered by Mkers, supplied by Adidas, on Nov. 25 at the FC PRO qualifiers in London. “This is an important step to continue the development of Al Nassr in a new field of play that is highly appreciated by our fans,” stresses Guido Fienga, CEO of Al Nassr. “Excellence and innovation are at the core of our strategy and with Mkers and Jafonso we aspire to be a winning team in the most important international competitions right away. For Luca Beccaceci, CEO of Mkers, “being chosen by a club like Al Nassr to build an Esports division together is an honor and a responsibility. This is not just a partnership, but a common vision to redefine the competitive gaming industry. We will work together to consolidate this project and make it an international benchmark. “Al Nassr’s Esports division comes amid extraordinary investment: in 2024 alone, Riyadh and Qiddiya saw the Esports sector grow exponentially through investments exceeding $500 million, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global hub for gaming. Events such as the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh have attracted more than 45,000 live spectators and millions of streaming views, demonstrating the growing relevance of the industry. Al Nassr Esports is not just an ambitious initiative, but a reality built to dominate an ever-expanding market. Fueled by a passionate gamer fanbase and an innovative strategic vision, the partnership with Mkers embodies the future of competitive sports, inspiring millions of fans in Saudi Arabia and beyond.- Photo Mkers press office -(ITALPRESS).
