MADRID - Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio has missed the entire season with a serious knee injury, but the time away from the pitch paid unexpected dividends when he was crowned champion of La Liga’s FIFA 20 video game tournament on Sunday.
With Spanish soccer on hold along with most live sports while the world fights the coronavirus pandemic, players traded the pitch for PlayStation in an online tournament organised by esports commentator Ibai Llanos and endorsed by La Liga. Over 170 000 people watched Asensio, pictured, playing as Real, beat Aitor Ruibal of Leganes 4-1 in the final, the culmination of a weekend of action involving 18 La Liga sides.
Barcelona and Real Mallorca were not allowed to take part in the tournament as their clubs are sponsored by Konami, the creators of FIFA 20’s main competitor Pro Evolution Soccer. The tournament, which was also broadcast on Spanish television, raised over 140 000 to fight the deadly COVID-19 virus, which has claimed over 13 580 lives worldwide and more than 1 720 in Spain.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/WearetheChampions?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WearetheChampions!! @realmadrid pic.twitter.com/w75OJj4ww6
— Marco Asensio (@marcoasensio10)