Professional football players are increasingly getting into esports, especially games like Counter-Strike, though not all of them can reach the heights both on the field and in the gaming server. However, "Porto" player Eduardo Cossa, better known as Pepê, has managed to stand out and reach the highest level on the FACEIT platform — Level 10.

FACEIT Level 10 is considered a significant achievement among players, and according to user X Ozzny_CS, only a few footballers can boast of this level. Another such player is the Turkish Kerem Aktürkoğlu from "Benfica," who has also reached the highest level on FACEIT. Interestingly, "Benfica" is a direct competitor of "Porto," and this rivalry between Pepê and Aktürkoğlu adds sporting intrigue both on the field and in CS.

READ MORE: A cadiaN injury didn't stop Astralis from winning at the start of the BLAST World Final

Pepê's Journey to Counter-Strike

For Pepê, Counter-Strike is not just a game but a passion that began long before his career in Europe. In 2021, while still a player for Brazilian "Gremio," he met professional CS player Ricardo "boltz" Prass, from whom he received a team shirt as a gift from BOOM. This moment fueled Pepê's interest in esports, and he continued to hone his skills in CS, despite his primary career in football.

The Connection Between Football and CS

Pepê is not alone in his interest in Counter-Strike. For example, Neymar Jr often participates in matches with FURIA and has also played a show match with Brazilian Major champion Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo. Even Neymar himself admitted to seeing similarities between football and CS in terms of strategy and teamwork.

Many footballers also invest in the CS scene. "Juventus" player Arthur Melo supports the Brazilian team Legacy, and Denmark national team captain and "Milan" defender Simon Kjaer owns the team WOPA. In December 2023, Oleksandr Zinchenko, left-back of "Arsenal," played for his organization Passion UA, replacing player Eduard "zeRRoFIX" Petrovski at a European tournament.

READ MORE: GG.BET invites fans to GG.BOOTH at BLAST Premier: World Final 2024

Why Does This Matter?

The interest in esports among professional football players showcases how diverse their passions and abilities are beyond the football field. The involvement of such renowned players in esports not only draws attention but also promotes the growth of the esports scene, which, in turn, opens up new opportunities for young talents in both fields.