Report: Liverpool Star Diogo Jota Agrees Bizarre Deal with FC Porto | OneFootball

Diogo Jota’s Surprise Move to FC Porto – But Not on the Pitch

Liverpool’s Diogo Jota has reconnected with FC Porto, but this time, he’s trading his boots for a controller. The Portuguese forward has struck a unique deal with Porto, involving his eSports venture, Luna eSports. While it might not be the kind of move fans were expecting, it’s a fascinating step that merges the world of football and eSports.

Jota and Porto: A Partnership Beyond the Game

It’s not a typical football transfer, but rather a collaboration between Jota’s Luna eSports team and FC Porto. This partnership will see Luna and Porto work together across several popular eSports titles, including EAFC, DOTA 2, and Rocket League. Luna, which originated as a merger of Diogo Jota eSports and Galaxy Racer, is now linking arms with a major Portuguese football club.

Photo: IMAGO

Porto has long been involved in eSports and sees this move as a chance to solidify its place in the expanding digital arena. As noted in the Record.pt article, Porto stated, “FC Porto already has a rich and successful history in eSports and we believe that this partnership we have now established will allow us to grow even more, cement our position nationally and internationally.”

Why eSports? The Growth of a Digital Audience

Porto recognises the unique opportunity eSports presents in reaching a younger, tech-savvy audience. With the global eSports market projected to hit $1.87 billion by 2025, according to industry reports, Porto’s move makes perfect business sense. They’re tapping into a growing sector where many of their fans are already active.

Photo: IMAGO

Porto explained their strategy, stating, “The eSports market is very important in the expansion of our brand with a very specific audience, but where many of our fans are.” This shows a clear alignment of interests between Porto’s aim for brand expansion and Jota’s passion for gaming.

Jota’s Journey from Football to eSports

Diogo Jota’s involvement in eSports isn’t entirely new. He’s a high-level EAFC player, well-versed in the competitive gaming world, and it seems natural for him to expand his influence off the pitch. Reflecting on the partnership, Jota said, “It’s a pride to join Luna Galaxy to a club with the history of FC Porto, which I had the honour of representing as an athlete.”

He added, “It is the right step for this project because we joined a club that is world famous for its will to win.” It’s clear that the ambition and drive he carries in football are matched by his passion for success in the digital realm.

What This Means for Football and eSports

This partnership is a testament to the growing connection between traditional sports and digital gaming. As Jota rekindles his relationship with Porto, he’s not just furthering his eSports venture but also helping to blur the lines between athletic and digital competition. For Liverpool fans, it’s intriguing to see Jota, a valued player, engage in projects outside football, highlighting the diversification of modern athletes.