“We truly felt like superstars – it was magical”
For a world-renowned football team like Peñarol, winning and success is something that is in the lifeblood of the club, and is expected by both the fans and the whole of Uruguay. So, when the South American team won the Phygital Football discipline at the Games of the Future 2024 at their first attempt, it made headlines.
How did this historic football club get into phygital sports, adapt to phygital competition and win so quickly. We spoke to the team to understand Peñarol’s journey, their experiences, and their aspirations for the future.
For more than a century, Peñarol has been a dominant force in football. The iconic Uruguayan club boasts multiple national and international titles, with a legacy stretching back to the early 1900s.
Now, in the 21st century, Peñarol is proving that its winning mentality extends beyond traditional football by embracing the emerging world of Phygital Football — a hybrid competition combining real-world action with digital gameplay.
Peñarol’s success in Phygital Football isn’t an accident — it’s a product of recognizing the importance of both traditional athletes and gamers. Phygital Football requires excellence in both realms, and Peñarol has quickly adapted to this reality.
Tomás Gauna, one of the players from Peñarol’s phygital team said: “We understand that exceptional gaming skills gives us an advantage when we step onto the physical field. That’s why we place so much emphasis on the digital side.
The balance between physical and digital specialists was crucial to Peñarol’s success. The winning squad featured esports professionals and traditional footballers – notably Nico Martínez, who was strong on both fronts.
“Nico is a physical player and he is very solid in the digital game too,” said Tomás Gauna. “This has allowed us to maximize our strengths and have a strong team, which is a great advantage in a phygital competition.”
Another strength of the team has been the strong bonds forged among the teammates. Through their shared journey in competitions, the team understood each other’s strengths better. With pre-game rituals, such as belting out Peñarol’s anthems to psych themselves up for competition, as well as celebrating victory together afterwards – they have created friendships that will last a lifetime.
Uruguay is known for its passionate football culture, where victories are celebrated with fervor. While phygital sports are still emerging there, Peñarol’s triumphs have already captured the imagination of fans.
“Our supporters gave us the best possible reception when we won last year,” says Tomás Gauna. “We returned to Uruguay as champions of an international tournament in a completely new discipline. It was a life-changing experience for us.”
The homecoming was unforgettable. Families and fans gathered at the airport to welcome their heroes, treating them like legends. “For a moment, we truly felt like superstars,” Tomás Gauna recalls. “It was magical.”
Now, Peñarol has set its sights on an even greater challenge: GOTF Qualifiers in the UAE later in 2025. The club has already advanced through the GOTF Major in Uruguay and are in contention to qualify for the main event in the UAE.
Tomás Gauna said: “Our only goal is to win again. Last year, we worked incredibly hard to prove ourselves, and now we want the world to know we’re even stronger than before.”
With every team levelling up their preparation, Peñarol knows that winning GOTF 2025 won’t be easy. But the message to fans and rivals alike is clear: “Get ready for GOTF25 – the game is on!”
