Fifa 2016 could be the video game that saved the beautiful game
The latest in EA Sports’ long-running football series may rebuild the shattered reputation of its real-world counterpart
France faced a one-goal deficit against Brazil with two minutes of stoppage time left, and its manager ordered a full offensive. Christophe Jallet tapped a pass to Antoine Griezmann, and Griezmann gave it one touch before firing top left for the equaliser – and, in this two-game final, the tournament winner.
Hundreds in the crowd erupted in shock. Griezmann took off for the corner of the field, diving head first just in front of the flag and waiting for teammates to pile on top. And three metres below the screen where Griezmann had scored, Mohamad Al-Bacha ran in circles, jumped and screamed.
Moments later, he stage-dived into a pack of supporters – his first act as a world champion, before accepting his oversized US$20,000 cheque and free trip to the Fifa Ballon d’Or presentation.
“To win the competition is beyond words for me,” the 19-year-old from Denmark says.
Last week, the 32 top Fifa 16 video game players from around the world gathered in New York for the Fifa Interactive World Cup. The pitch was digital, but the stage was very real, with the four semi-finalists settling things at the historic Apollo Theatre in front hundreds of fans.
The competition was broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 and streamed in more than 100 countries online, and Al-Bacha’s crown was earned from a season in which millions of Fifa games were played.