RIYADH: A footballing icon and esports star have revealed the untold truths of maintaining excellence in traditional and modern sports at the New Global Sports Conference in Riyadh. In a discussion on the “Becoming a Modern Day Sports Hero” panel, former Manchester United star Patrice Evra and Counter-Strike titan Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo shared their personal struggles and triumphs. While reaching the pinnacle of success may be challenging, staying at the top demands unmatched resilience, discipline and an unwavering commitment to personal and collective growth, they said.
“The key words are resilience and discipline,” said Evra, who also played for the French national team for more than a decade. “It’s easy to reach the top of the pyramid, but to stay at the top, that’s when it’s difficult.” Toledo, of Brazil’s FURIA Esports, discussed the parallels between traditional sports and esports with Evra.
The two stars highlighted the personal and external motivators that led them to decorated careers. The Brazilian said that for the 10 ten years of his career, his parents were against the idea of their son going into professional gaming. Toledo admitted he had doubts and believed that “gaming wasn’t a reality at the time.
” But his hobby soon began to feel like a real opportunity, though no one else could see it at the time. Starting out in Brazil, Toledo began by watching established European gaming competitions and professional players. “Then I was.