The world of football has evolved significantly in recent years, with the rise of esports and the increasing popularity of FIFA, the video game series developed by EA Sports. While actual football players continue to earn staggering amounts of money, professional FIFA players are also making a name for themselves and earning considerable income. In this article, we will compare the earnings of FIFA esports professionals with those of actual football players and delve into their lifestyles, career paths, and the factors that contribute to their success.
1. The Rise of FIFA Esports
FIFA has not only become a popular video game series but has also developed into a thriving esports scene. With prominent brands like Hubspot and Wordstream investing in the industry, professional FIFA players are now able to make a living by competing in high-stakes tournaments and securing lucrative sponsorship deals. The esports industry has witnessed tremendous growth in recent years, and FIFA has played a pivotal role in this expansion.
1.1 FIFA Esports Earnings
The earnings of professional FIFA players vary greatly depending on their performance in tournaments and their sponsorship deals. Some top FIFA players, like Donovan "Tekkz" Hunt and Mossad "MSdossary" Aldossary, have earned hundreds of thousands of dollars from their esports careers. In fact, Tekkz has earned a staggering 78,500 per game (source). If Tekkz were to play a game every week, he would earn a whopping $4 million per year.
1.2 FIFA Esports Tournaments and Rankings
Professional FIFA players compete in various tournaments, such as the FIFA eWorld Cup, FIFA Global Series, and ePremier League, to earn Global Series Ranking points and climb the leaderboards. The top players from these tournaments qualify for the FIFA eWorld Cup, which is considered the most prestigious event in the FIFA esports calendar. The eWorld Cup winner can walk away with a prize of up to $250,000 (source).
2. Actual Football Players' Earnings
Actual football players continue to earn staggering amounts of money through their club contracts, endorsement deals, and personal business ventures. The top football players, such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar, earn millions of dollars annually.
2.1 Football Players' Salaries and Endorsements
The salaries of football players in top European leagues are astronomical, with players like Cristiano Ronaldo earning as much as $3.4 million per month (source). In addition to their salaries, football players also earn millions through endorsement deals with major brands like Nike, Adidas, and Pepsi.
2.2 The Richest Football Players
According to Forbes, the highest-paid football players in the world are Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar, who have a combined income of 110 million, followed by Ronaldo with 95 million.
3. Comparing FIFA Pros and Actual Pros' Earnings
When comparing the earnings of FIFA esports professionals and actual football players, it's evident that football players still earn significantly more. However, the gap between the two is closing, with top FIFA players earning amounts that rival those of lesser-known football players in Europe's top leagues.
3.1 FIFA Pros vs. Actual Pros in European Leagues
FIFA esports professional Tekkz would earn more than any player at Premier League clubs Brighton & Hove Albion, Norwich City, and Sheffield United if he played a game every week (source). On the other hand, football players in the top European leagues, such as the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A, continue to earn millions of dollars annually.
3.2 The Top FIFA Pros
The highest-earning FIFA esports professionals, like Tekkz and MSdossary, have made a significant impact on the esports scene, earning hundreds of thousands of dollars through tournament winnings and endorsement deals. These top FIFA players have also gained massive followings on social media, further increasing their earning potential.
4. The Path to Becoming a FIFA Pro or Football Pro
Becoming a professional FIFA player or an actual football player requires dedication, hard work, and immense talent. Both paths have their unique challenges and rewards.
4.1 How to Become a FIFA Pro
Aspiring FIFA professionals must consistently perform at the highest level in online matches and tournaments to gain recognition and attract the attention of esports organizations or football clubs. They must achieve high rankings in FUT Champions, qualify for events, and maintain a strong personal brand to secure lucrative contracts and sponsorships (source).
4.2 How to Become a Football Pro
Becoming a professional football player requires years of training, practice, and dedication to the sport. Young footballers must join youth academies, develop their skills, and impress scouts and coaches to work their way up the ranks and secure contracts with professional clubs.
5. Football Clubs and FIFA Esports
Many football clubs have recognized the potential of FIFA esports and have started investing in the industry by signing professional FIFA players and organizing their own esports teams.
5.1 Football Clubs Investing in FIFA Esports
Clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, and FC Barcelona have established esports teams and signed professional FIFA players to represent their clubs in various tournaments. This not only expands the clubs' reach to a younger demographic but also helps them connect with new fans and capitalize on the rapidly growing esports market (source).
5.2 FIFA Esports Impact on Football Clubs' Revenue
FIFA esports has the potential to generate significant revenue for football clubs through sponsorships, merchandise sales, and advertising deals. As the esports industry continues to grow, football clubs are likely to invest more resources into developing their esports teams and attracting top FIFA talents.
6. The Future of FIFA Esports and Football
As the popularity of FIFA esports continues to rise, it's likely that more football clubs will invest in the industry and create their own esports teams. This could lead to an even closer relationship between FIFA esports and actual football, with professional FIFA players potentially earning similar amounts to actual football players.
6.1 Potential Growth of FIFA Esports
FIFA esports has already experienced tremendous growth over the past few years, and this trend is expected to continue. With more investment from football clubs, increased media coverage, and a growing fan base, the future of FIFA esports looks promising.
6.2 The Role of FIFA Esports in the Football World
FIFA esports has the potential to play an even more significant role in the football world in the coming years. As more football clubs invest in esports and professional FIFA players gain more recognition, the line between FIFA esports and actual football may continue to blur.
7. Conclusion
While actual football players still earn considerably more than FIFA esports professionals, the gap between the two is narrowing. As the esports industry continues to grow and gain recognition, professional FIFA players may soon find themselves earning similar amounts to their real-life counterparts. With football clubs increasingly investing in esports and embracing the potential of FIFA esports, the future of both FIFA esports and actual football looks promising. Ultimately, the success of both FIFA pros and actual pros will depend on their dedication, hard work, and ability to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of their respective industries.