Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
Zhao Yitang, 21, had always dreamed of playing football for China. This summer, he finally did – not in boots on a pitch, but on a smartphone.
As the global popularity of football esports grows, China is vying for success on the virtual pitch, following decades of struggles in the real-life sport.
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced plans to form a national esports football team.
“If I could join the national team, I would go all-out in my efforts for the side,” Zhao, a recent graduate, said.
The gamer had reached the final of this year’s eFootball championship in Tokyo, Japan, finishing in second place. It was China’s best international result in the game formerly known as Pro Evolution Soccer.
The CFA said its team would soon compete in esports events organised by Fifa and the Asian Football Confederation. Worldwide, football esports is becoming a regular fixture.
