Fifa eWorld Cup tournament: Asian student wins nearly HK$2 million in prize money at inaugural e-sports competition
Saudi Arabian 18-year-old whizz-kid Musaed Aldossary shook the football gaming world after coasting to Fifa eWorld Cup victory despite only going pro one year ago
Saudi Arabian student Musaed Aldossary – better known as ‘MSdossary’ in the video gaming world – received a staggering US$250,000 (HK$1.96 million) in prize money after winning the inaugural 2018 Fifa eWorld Cup on the weekend.
The 18-year-old defeated Belgium’s ‘StefanoPinna’ 4-0 on aggregate in the final in front of thousands at The O2 Arena in London. He edged out 31 other finalists – half specialising on the PlayStation 4 console, half on Xbox One – securing a rare trophy for an Asian player.
“It was a really amazing moment,” said Aldossary, only started playing the popular Electronic Arts football game professionally one year ago. “It is the most popular game in Saudi so they really love and support me in the Middle East.
“Actually I was with the Chinese broadcast team and I hope to see a Chinese champion in Fifa one day.”
Aldossary – who represents e-sports organisation Rogue – exploded onto the pro gaming scene at the Fifa Ultimate Team (Fut) Champions Cup in Manchester earlier this year, winning the tournament and earning a spot in the eWorld Cup global series play-offs. He was also crowned Fut Rest of the World regional champion in 2017.
Commentators focussed on Aldossary’s calm demeanour throughout the tournament and described his approach to the final “as if he were playing a group game”. He also highlighted his own strong defensive set-up as a key to victory.
“Defending very well gets you trophies,” he said. “I also always train with my Saudi pro friends. Maybe the style of play is different, for example French players like possession.
Now a household name in the football e-sports community, the football game phenom hopes to continue his scintillating form into next season and embrace the ever-expanding pro gaming life.
According to EA, Aldossary’s performances also merited a meeting with the Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sport.
“It’s great to see the world and explore new cities, friends and cultures. I actually had more pressure [for this tournament] because everyone was expecting me to win. I’m proud I made it!”
The tournament, previously named the Fifa Interactive World Cup, had only seen one other Asian winner in fellow Saudi Abulaziz Alshehri since its inception in 2004.
The 2015 winner Alshehri met real-life football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as a part of the winner’s experience, with Aldossary already seen saying “Cristiano – I’m coming” post-win.
