Diogo Jota's ePremier League win proves Premier League stars are serious gamers

The late Diogo Jota defeated Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 2020 ePremier League Invitational final while representing Wolves, the clearest sign that Premier League footballers are far more than casual gamers. From Fortnite celebrations to esports ownership, several top-flight stars have merged football and gaming.

  • Headline achievement: Diogo Jota won the first ePremier League Invitational in 2020, beating Trent Alexander-Arnold in the final.
  • Global ranking: During FIFA 21, Jota completed a perfect 30-match run in FUT Champions and briefly topped the PlayStation leaderboard.
  • Esports owners: Sergio Agüero founded KRÜ Esports in 2020; Casemiro launched Case Esports the same year.
  • Streaming pioneers: Dele Alli and Sergio Agüero became regular streamers, with Agüero covering FIFA, Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto V.
  • Pitch-to-game crossover: James Maddison's 'Take the L' celebration and Jota's controller mime have become recognisable on the pitch.

The gamers of the Premier League

Professional football and video games have become closely connected. Premier League players grow up playing many of the same titles as supporters, from EA Sports FC and Football Manager to Fortnite and Call of Duty. Gaming can provide a welcome escape from the pressure of elite football, particularly during long journeys, recovery periods and quiet evenings after training.

For some players, however, it has developed into much more than a casual hobby. Footballers have streamed online, entered tournaments, invested in esports organisations and even competed against professional gamers. Several Premier League stars have helped bring the two worlds together.

Diogo Jota was football's standout gamer

Few Premier League footballers demonstrated their gaming ability as convincingly as the late Diogo Jota. The former Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers forward was an exceptional FIFA player. He won the Premier League's first ePremier League Invitational in 2020, defeating Trent Alexander-Arnold in the final while representing Wolves.

Jota's achievements were not limited to a celebrity tournament. During FIFA 21, he completed a perfect 30-match run in FUT Champions and briefly reached the top of the global PlayStation leaderboard. His record demonstrated that he could compete at a level far beyond that of the average footballer.

Gaming also influenced his celebrations. After scoring for Liverpool against Southampton in 2021, Jota sat on the pitch and mimed playing with a controller. A version of the pose was subsequently included as a celebration in EA Sports FC.

Jota established his own esports organisation, originally known as Diogo Jota Esports before becoming part of LUNA Esports. The project created opportunities for competitive players and turned his interest into a serious involvement in the industry. Following his death in July 2025, Jota's gaming legacy continued. EA Sports renamed its leading FC Pro World Championship trophy in his honour, recognising his contribution as a player, competitor and esports team owner.

James Maddison has brought Fortnite to the pitch

James Maddison has long been associated with Fortnite. His interest is particularly visible through the goal celebration he has used for Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and England. After scoring, Maddison has frequently performed a throwing-dart gesture inspired by the game's "Take the L" emote and wider Fortnite culture. The celebration has become so closely linked with him that supporters immediately recognise it.

Maddison has played Fortnite with fellow footballers and taken part in gaming content away from the pitch. He has also spoken about the competitive dynamic created when teammates play together online. That appeal is easy to understand. Battle royale games require communication, rapid decision-making and an awareness of what teammates are doing. The physical demands are clearly different from football, but the satisfaction of coordinating a successful team remains familiar. Fortnite has also allowed Maddison to express his personality. His celebration connects an important moment in a Premier League match with a game played by millions of supporters at home.

Dele Alli became a regular streamer

Dele Alli was one of the first high-profile English footballers to embrace game streaming openly. During his time at Tottenham, Alli regularly played Fortnite and other multiplayer games. He streamed sessions online, sometimes appearing alongside teammates and well-known creators. Rather than treating gaming as an occasional publicity exercise, he participated naturally in the culture surrounding it.

Alli's Fortnite-inspired goal celebrations also became widely recognised. At the height of the game's popularity, his performances helped introduce dance moves and gestures from gaming to Premier League audiences. Streaming gave supporters a different view of his personality. A conventional football interview is structured and media-managed, whereas a gaming session can be more relaxed. Players talk to friends, react to mistakes and show the competitive instincts that exist away from the pitch.

Alli's involvement arrived when the relationship between footballers and streaming was still developing. The ease with which he moved between the two helped make gaming content feel like a normal part of a player's public life.

Trent Alexander-Arnold tested himself against other players

Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has frequently demonstrated his interest in football games. He reached the final of the 2020 ePremier League Invitational after victories over several other professional footballers. Alexander-Arnold eventually lost to Jota, but his run showed that both players took the competition seriously.

Gaming became particularly important during periods when football's normal schedule was disrupted. Online tournaments allowed players to represent their clubs, interact with supporters and maintain an element of competition when they could not meet on the pitch. Alexander-Arnold has also appeared in promotional events connected with football games. As a player known for analysing passing angles and creating chances, he possesses some of the qualities that can translate effectively to the virtual game. His involvement helped establish the ePremier League concept as more than a marketing novelty. When recognisable players competed seriously, supporters had an additional reason to watch.

Sergio Agüero turned streaming into a second career

Sergio Agüero's association with gaming grew substantially during the final years of his Manchester City career. Agüero began streaming regularly while recovering from injuries and during periods when football was suspended. His broadcasts covered several games, including FIFA, Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto V. The relaxed format suited his personality, and his audience grew rapidly.

He did not abandon gaming after leaving the Premier League. Instead, it became an important part of his work following his retirement from professional football. Agüero founded KRÜ Esports in 2020. The organisation has competed in titles including Valorant and Rocket League, giving him a direct role in the business of competitive gaming. Lionel Messi later became a co-owner, adding further football interest to the project. Unlike a footballer who simply appears in a gaming advertisement, Agüero built a recognisable presence as a streamer and esports owner. His career offers one of the strongest examples of gaming becoming a substantial post-football opportunity.

Casemiro created his own esports organisation

Former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has also moved into esports ownership. He launched Case Esports in 2020, initially focusing on competitive Counter-Strike. The organisation expanded into other titles, including FIFA and Valorant, establishing teams and gaming facilities in Europe.

Counter-Strike is a different proposition from the football simulations commonly associated with players. It requires precise mechanical skill, detailed tactical planning and coordinated teamwork. Casemiro's interest therefore reflects the broader gaming culture surrounding footballers rather than a simple desire to play a virtual version of their own sport. The organisation also shows how players can treat esports as a long-term investment. Establishing a team involves recruitment, coaching, facilities, sponsorship and content production. The process has more in common with running a professional sporting operation than casually playing at home.

Jesse Lingard has combined gaming with his personal brand

Jesse Lingard has regularly shared his interest in games including FIFA, Call of Duty and Fortnite. During his time with Manchester United, West Ham and England, gaming formed part of the energetic online personality he presented to supporters. He took part in streams and football gaming events, while references to popular games appeared in his celebrations and social content.

Why Premier League stars are turning to esports

The pattern is clear: gaming offers players a release from the relentless scrutiny of elite football, but for a select few it has become a genuine second career. Diogo Jota combined elite FIFA ability with team ownership, Sergio Agüero built KRÜ Esports into a multi-title organisation, and Casemiro applied the same competitive drive to Counter-Strike. These are not mere endorsements; they are investments of time and capital.

The streaming element is equally significant. Dele Alli and Agüero allowed fans to see a relaxed, unscripted side of their personalities, bypassing traditional media structures. That authenticity resonates with younger audiences and strengthens the bond between player and supporter.

On the pitch, the influence is visible in celebrations: James Maddison's 'Take the L' gesture, Alli's Fortnite dances, and Jota's controller mime have all crossed from screen to stadium. Gaming is no longer a fringe interest; it is woven into the fabric of Premier League culture.

Talking points

  • Should more Premier League clubs formalise esports partnerships, or does it risk distracting players from their primary job?
  • Diogo Jota's perfect 30-0 FUT Champions run is arguably a greater individual achievement than any celebrity tournament win — do you agree?
  • Goal celebrations inspired by video games divide opinion: are they a fun connection with fans or a step too far?
  • With Agüero and Casemiro owning esports teams, could we see a Premier League club acquire a stake in an esports organisation?

What happens next

As the 2026-27 season progresses, expect more players to stream during international breaks and recovery periods. The ePremier League Invitational remains a fixture in the calendar, and Jota's legacy will be honoured at the FC Pro World Championship. Whether any current Premier League star follows Agüero's path into full-time esports ownership is the next milestone to watch.

Frequently asked questions

Who won the first ePremier League Invitational in 2020?

Diogo Jota won the tournament, defeating Trent Alexander-Arnold in the final while representing Wolves.

What Fortnite celebration does James Maddison use?

Maddison performs a throwing-dart gesture inspired by the game's "Take the L" emote and wider Fortnite culture.

Which Premier League players own esports organisations?

Sergio Agüero founded KRÜ Esports in 2020, and Casemiro launched Case Esports in the same year. Diogo Jota also established Diogo Jota Esports, later part of LUNA Esports.

Filed under: Player News | LA Premier League Home