In the modern world, the boundaries between traditional sports and eSports are gradually blurring. Sports stars are increasingly showing interest in virtual entertainment, becoming part of the gaming community. One of the most striking examples of this phenomenon was Gareth Bale, the famous Welsh footballer, who unexpectedly for many turned his attention to League of Legends (LoL), one of the most popular online games in the world. How did a successful athlete combine two seemingly different worlds – sports and gaming? Let’s figure it out.
Gareth Bale is a name that is familiar even to those who are not football fans. His career spans successful years at clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid. A Champions League winner, winner of numerous awards and one of the most famous players of his time, Bale is famous not only for his speed and technical ability, but also for his diverse interests. After retiring from football in early 2023, Bale began to focus more on hobbies that he did not have time for during his active career. Among other things, this is golf, which has long been a part of his life, and, unexpectedly for many, video games. A special place among them is occupied by League of Legends – the iconic MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena), which unites millions of players around the world.
League of Legends is not just a game, but an entire ecosystem that includes professional tournaments, global championships, and a huge fan community. Bale was interested in this game for several reasons: Competitive spirit. As a professional athlete, he has always strived to win. In League of Legends, where each game is a strategic battle between teams, he found an opportunity to experience this adrenaline rush again. The game’s popularity among sports professionals. Bale is not the only athlete who is passionate about video games. For example, footballers Antoine Griezmann and Mesut Özil are also known for their love of gaming, including LoL. This made the transition to eSports more natural for Bale. A chance to relax. After intense football matches and training, Bale was looking for a way to unwind and recharge. League of Legends was perfect for this due to its exciting and at the same time strategic gameplay.
After Gareth Bale retired from professional football, his appearance in the world of League of Legends was perceived as a surprise. But, as it turns out, he had been playing the game for a long time in his spare time under a pseudonym. According to Bale himself, he began to take an interest in LoL back in 2019, when the game became popular among his friends. In early 2024, Gareth Bale made his first public step towards esports, declaring his love for LoL in an interview for one of the gaming portals. He said that he especially likes the role of the marksman (AD Carry), and his favorite champions are Jhin and Kai’Sa – characters that require a high level of mechanics and strategic thinking.
But the story does not end there. Gareth Bale did not just become an amateur player, he also began to actively engage in the development of the esports industry. In 2024, he launched his own esports organization called Ellevens Esports, which began participating in professional League of Legends tournaments. Bale’s main goal is to popularize esports and prove that it has the right to attract the attention of the audience on an equal basis with traditional sports. His team Ellevens Esports has already managed to make a name for itself in regional competitions, and fans hope to see it at the LoL World Championship. Bale’s arrival in the League of Legends world has been met with excitement. His fame has helped bring the game to the attention of new fans, especially football fans. Moreover, Gareth himself actively engages with the community, participating in streams, interacting with fans on social media, and supporting aspiring players.