In Spain, the situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic is really bad. Going outdoors is totally forbidden and every sports competition has been cancelled, including LaLiga. Video games are a way of escape from the lockdown for a lot of us, and for professional sports players too. But, next week, Real Madrid, F.C. Barcelona, Atlético and the others will be returning to action, virtually speaking.
Ibai Llanos, the most famous caster in the Spanish scene - recently recruited by G2 eSports - gathered in less than 24 hours at least one player from every team in the Spanish first division to compete in an online tournament. From Friday to Sunday, the likes of Marco Asensio, Sergi Roberto, plus former-Gunner Lucas Perez, and Belgian national team player Adnan Januzaj will face each other in FIFA 20.
Being the only "sports competition" taking place in the country for the foreseeable future, a lot of general media and sports outlets are reporting on the event. What's more, some of the oldest and most respected commentators from radio and TV have already confirmed they will be covering the matches live.
Will the outbreak inadvertently give esports the boost it needs to penetrate the wider market?