Former FC Barcelona soccer instrumentalist Gerard Piqué unveiled a huge banner in Barcelona on Friday throwing nuance at mainstream soccer for being “ frightened ” of hisnew Twitch association football league , the Kings League , and its approaching final examination at the famed Camp Nou bowl .
“ The view of us filling up Camp Nou really scares them , ” the banner read in Spanish and Catalan , part of Piqué ’s final pushing to deal outthe 99,000 - seat Camp Nou sports stadium , the largest in Europe , for the Kings League last on March 26 .
Although the Kings League did not confirm the banner was aimed at anyone in particular — league official told Gizmodo that they were leaving the interpretation up to the populace — it ’s reasonably clear for anyone who ’s been following the indoor association football tourney that the message is propose atJavier Tebas , president of the Spanish soccer conference LaLiga . Piqué and Tebas have been jar over the Kings League , which the former soccer player invent to make the sport more approachable and exciting , and its impact for month .
The mystery player “Enigma 69" plays in a Kings League match. He was later revealed to be Nano Mesa, a former Cádiz FC player.Photo:Courtesy of the Kings League InfoJobs
Mainstream Spanish soccer calls the Kings League a “circus”
Shortly after the Kings League ’s first appearance on Jan. 1,Tebas dismissed Piqué ’s novel form of socceras a competitor to traditional association football on pay TV , even though LaLiga and the Kings League go head - to - head for viewers every Sunday . While LaLiga broadcasts its games on traditional paid television , the Kings League stream its marathon six - hr - retentive secret plan days on Twitch , YouTube , and TikTok and offers them for free .
“ It ’s a carnival , and it ’s not about whether it can pull in younger viewer , ” Tebas said on Jan. 9 . “ As a genus Circus , I like the Kings League , but you ca n’t compare it to the association football diligence . ”
Unlike traditional soccer , the Kings League is indeed part - circus and part - soccer , with a sprinkle of video secret plan . Its 12 team are channelise by Twitch banner and ex - professional association football stars , and games are made up of two 20 - mo half where anything can happen . Coaches can habituate “ Secret Weapon ” cards to gain an advantage over the opposing squad . Piqué also has a hand in the games with his “ League ” lineup , which take a certain number of musician off the field at the end of the first half .
“The thought of us filling up Camp Nou really scares them,” the banner read in Spanish (black) and Catalan (outline).Photo:Courtesy of the Kings League InfoJobs
Tebas showed his distain of the Kings League again in mid - February when responding to critiques from Luis Rubiales , prexy of the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation , association football ’s govern body in Spain . order Rubiales said theKings League was “ a unlike and entertaining format”that postulate to be observe , adding that changes needed to be made in traditional soccer ’s format to surprise audiences . Tebasresponded drilyand with unembarrassed scorn .
“ order Rubiales ’ analysis is that the league should comply the example of an event led by waft where they dress up like clown , ” he stated .
The Kings League prepares for its final at Camp Nou on March 26
The tension between Piqué and Tebas has hang over the Kings League ’s initiatory season as the former soccer ace strives to examine that his new imaginativeness of soccer can appeal to magnanimous audiences and attract youthful people . So far , the Kings League has learn monumental winner .
Its Twitch transmission channel was the top channel in Spain inJanuaryandFebruary , agree to the Spanish streaming tracker TVTOP España . In plus , on Feb. 26 , the Kings League announced that more than two million people had watched thelive debut of Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldinho , who trifle for Spanish banner Ibai Llanos ’ “ Porcinos FC ” team .
On Friday , Piqué and Kings League official revealed the amusement lineup for the final at Camp Nou on Chup Chup king , their streaming show for league announcements . Besides face offs between its final four teams , the event will have performances from Argentine artists Lali and Tiago PZK . Ever the showman , Piqué also announced that the Kings League would stress to unwrap theGuinness domain phonograph record for the most people wearing costume mask , which stand at 30,050 , and would hand out free masque with the Kings League logotype at Camp Nou on March 26 .
¿ ¿ Porcinos League??pic.twitter.com / R4xCNMnjvY
— power League InfoJobs ( @KingsLeague)March 10 , 2023
Selling out the Camp Nou bowl with a three - month previous Twitch association football league would no doubt be a profits for Piqué and give him the validation he needs to show mainstream soccer that the Kings League is a force to be reckon with . As of Friday , more than 60,000 tickets had already been sold .
“ There is no sports stadium like Camp Nou , ” Piqué said in his Friday pitch to sell tickets on Chup Chup mogul , jell to spectacular euphony . “ The finalists are going to put on a show that the city of Barcelona is going to recall . You ca n’t miss it . ”
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