RIYADH: Electronic sports can be “10 times bigger than football,” former Manchester United player Patrice Evra said at the New Global Sport Conference 2024 on Saturday.
Evra, 43, a UEFA Champions League and five-time Premier League winner with Manchester United, spoke as a panelist at the NGSC, a two-day conference being held at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.
The former left-back spoke at a session called “Becoming a Modern Sports Hero — Sports, Gaming and the Relentless Pursuit of Excellence” alongside Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo, the Brazilian national who is a star Counter-Strike II player for FURIA Esports.
The session explored how modern-day sports stars have redefined excellence in their respective fields, and parallels between traditional sports and competitive gaming, delving into the mindset, dedication and strategies that propel each to the pinnacle of their careers.
Speaking on the sidelines of the NGSC, Evra said: “Without hesitation, e-sports can be bigger than football — e-sports can be 10 times bigger than football.
“This is the new generation. Don’t forget, old school, our parents didn’t let us play (gaming), so we couldn’t do it. This generation want gaming. It can be bigger than football 100 percent.
“You can see the fans in the arenas where all these gaming competitions happen, like at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh … It’s serious. Kids have time to play and love it.
“The professionals train eight hours per day; footballers train two, maximum three hours per day. It’s going to be so big.”
FalleN, 33, told the conference: “I started playing when I was a kid. I was part of the first generation who knew what e-sports could be. I’m very happy I pursued my dreams and very happy to be here now.”
The second edition of the NGSC, themed “The Future of Fandom,” is hosting more than 60 global speakers, 200 CEOs and 1,200 attendees.
Patrice Evra: ‘E-sports can be 10 times bigger than football’
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Patrice Evra: ‘E-sports can be 10 times bigger than football’
- Ex-Manchester United star: ‘This generation want gaming. It can be bigger than football 100%’
- Final day of New Global Sport Conference takes place at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh on Sunday
Real Madrid victory in Super Cup semi-final sets up fourth consecutive El Clásico in Saudi Arabia
- Early Valverde rocket set the tone for a physical encounter in front of a packed Al-Inma Stadium
- 55,651 fans attended the match, topping Barcelona-Athletic Bilbao’s crowd by more than 5,000
JEDDAH: While Wednesday saw a sea of blue and red take over Al-Inma Stadium, Thursday belonged almost entirely to the colour white. The second semi-final of the 2026 Spanish Super Cup pitted Madrid Derby rivals Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid against each other in a fiercely contested encounter that ignited within the opening two minutes and ended with a 2-1 victory to Real Madrid.
In the first minute of the game, Real Madrid won a free kick from a position that appeared harmless, but Federico Valverde had other ideas. The Uruguayan unleashed a thunderous long-range strike that flew into the net, sending the stadium into raptures almost immediately.
Despite the early breakthrough, Real Madrid did not dominate proceedings. Atlético controlled much of the shot count, pushing relentlessly as they attempted to overcome the forged “home” advantage enjoyed by their city rivals in Jeddah.
That advantage was not driven solely by Saudi supporters. Ahead of kick-off, official broadcaster Thmanyah Sports got hold of a Real Madrid fan from Iraq who praised the organisation of the event and thanked Saudi Arabia for providing fans from across the region the opportunity to watch their team live.
Atlético didn’t plan on sending those fans home with a smile. They forced Thibaut Courtois into action on multiple occasions, with his save from a corner mid-way into the first half proving key in preserving Real’s lead.
Real did get close to doubling their advantage in the 27th minute when Rodrygo found himself through on goal, executing a trademark Ronaldo chop to beat his marker before being denied by Jan Oblak.
Atlético resumed their push after the break. In the 49th minute, they looked to find Julián Álvarez with a dangerous cross, but Antonio Rüdiger reacted sharply to step in and clear.
Once again, it was Real Madrid’s individual quality that made the difference. Valverde split the defence with a perfectly weighted through ball, releasing Rodrygo, who calmly slotted past Oblak in the 55th minute.
Atlético responded with increased vigour almost immediately. A slick move down the right flank culminated in a cross from Giuliano Simeone, which Alexander Sørloth powered home beyond Raúl Asencio in the 58th minute to bring the contest back to life.
As Atlético pushed for an equaliser, the Real Madrid fans rallied behind their team with chants familiar to Jeddah. Borrowing from one of Al-Ahli’s most popular anthems — one that engulfed Middle Eastern football in recent years — the crowd sang in unison: “For Real we came, from every city.”
Atlético were not fazed, as they came agonisingly close to levelling soon after. Antoine Griezmann produced a spectacular overhead kick from close range, only for Courtois to make another vital save. Moments later, Marcos Llorente broke through on the right once more, but his effort drifted wide.
Llorente continued to threaten, curling another attempt — this time from outside the box — but once again failed to find the target as Atlético searched desperately for a way back into the game.
Ultimately, Real Madrid managed to emerge unscathed, as they held on for the 2-1 victory.
Sunday will see the Al-Inma Stadium host once again, as Barcelona and Real Madrid face off in the fourth consecutive El Clásico Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia. Barcelona won the first encounter in 2023, followed by a 4-1 victory by Real in 2024, before Barcelona rallied to a 5-2 victory in the 2025 edition.
