Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has entered the esports industry by launching a new organisation called Rebels Gaming.
According to the release, the organisation will look to initially compete in League of Legends, VALORANT, and Rainbow Six Siege.
Alongside fielding rosters in a number of esports, Rebels Gaming will also house a roster of content creators and streamers. Moreover, the organisation will have its own training facility located in Valdebebas, Madrid.
De Gea spoke on the organisation’s creation in a release: “The launch of Rebels Gaming within esports is another dream come true.
“It is a project that aims to instil to the new generations of young people the main values that have accompanied me since my beginnings in professional football, within a framework of innovation and unparalleled technological development.”
Details on the personnel joining Rebels Gaming were not disclosed, but the release did confirm that a ‘team of great esports professionals’ will be working on the project across its various departments.
The Manchester United goalkeeper is the latest footballer to enter the industry, following the likes of teammate Jesse Lingard and former Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero in creating an esports organisation.
“We want to enhance motivation, leadership, resilience, the management of situations of success, defeat, and above all, teamwork,” de Gea added.
David de Gea has explained his decision to create an esports team in Madrid.
Rebels Gaming was launched by the United shot-stopper last November and is the founder and president of the organisation. Based at a ‘state-of-the-art complex’ in the Spanish capital, players can train, relax and compete at the site.
De Gea’s team will be competing in three different esports: League of Legends, Rainbow Six Siege and Valorant.
Speaking to United’s magazine, Inside United, De Gea explained his decision to set up the team. “A year and a half [ago], I was talking with Jose, one of the guys I trust and work with,” the Spaniard explained.
“He knows I am in love with video games, so we were talking about making our own club. So that’s how it started. We started step by step, we made Rebels, so we are really proud.”
De Gea does not take a back seat role with Rebels. Despite his successful football career, United’s ‘keeper helps motivate and help his e-sports players.
He added: “I am trying to show them that this is my experience in football. There are some words there. We put them there to show to the players – be calm, take things calmly.
“Of course, the pressure is always there. It doesn’t matter if it’s a video game or if it’s football – if you are competing, the pressure is always there. So, you have to deal with the pressure and always be very strong in the mind.”
