Football icon Ruud Gullit named 2024 eChampions League Ambassador

EA SPORTS FC Pro, the esports programme for EA SPORTS FC, has named Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit as an Ambassador for the eChampions League 2024.

Gullit will present the eChampions League trophy to the league’s winner during the finals at Magazine London on May 29th.

Gullit played for various clubs during his football career in the 1980s and 1990s, notably winning two European Cups with AC Milan and the 1987 Ballon d’Or award.

After his retirement, Gullit has shown significant interest in the esports side of football. The former athlete founded his own EA SPORTS FC academy, Team Gullit, in 2018. That same year, Gullit attended Esports Insider’s ESI Super Forum as a keynote speaker.

The eChampions League is an EA SPORTS FC circuit inspired by the popular UEFA Champions League. First introduced in 2018, the current league sees 48 European players from various football clubs compete.

The 2024 Finals will take place over three days ahead of the original UEFA Champions League final with a $280,000 (~£223,350) prize pool. Last year’s Finals attracted 49,587 peak viewers, according to Esports Charts.

EA SPORTS FC publisher EA remains committed to the game’s competitive scene. Last year, the football simulator partnered with broadcast production agency Whisper for its tournaments. While familiar EA SPORTS FC esports franchises, such as the ePremier League, have returned for 2024, EA has also introduced a new competition with the game’s addition to the Esports World Cup.

Ruud Gullit commented on his new ambassador role: “London is a second home for me, and I’m looking forward to returning to the city for another epic eChampions League Final.

“The intensity of the competition last year was unmatched as the best of the best battled for supremacy on the virtual pitch. You definitely don’t want to miss this year’s tournament!”