First World Cup and directly the title: Umut "RBLZ_Umut" Gültekin from RB Leipzig won the FIFA World Cup in Copenhagen - the individual World Cup in FIFA 22 - on his first appearance.
In an interview with the German press agency, the 19-year-old from Hamburg explains the significance of the title for him, how strong the cohesion between the German FIFA e-athletes is and that the final opponent was no stranger.
Question: Now, a few days after the World Title - how does it feel?
Answer: I don't know if I have fully realized that I am now a world champion. It's a lot different than winning the Canadian championship.
Question: What is the significance of the individual championship title for you?
Answer: For me, the Individual World Cup is by far the most important, because you only play for yourself. It's just about being the best player. And the most prize money is also distributed. The goal of every e-athlete is to reach the World Cup first. And of course then the big, big goal is to win the World Cup - but that's unlikely, no matter how good you are. The fact that it worked out for me right the first time is outstanding.
Umut: "Didn't prepare for penalty shootout"
Question: Did you prepare especially for a penalty shootout, maybe also especially for the final opponent Nicolas "nicolas99fc" Villalba?
Answer: To be honest, I didn't prepare for the penalty shootout at all. I didn't have one before and didn't practice it specially. More goals actually happen for me, so it is relatively unlikely that it will happen for me. But with Nico it was completely different. He lets few goals pass because he is so strong defensively. We also trained a lot with each other in the days before the World Cup because he was on the other side of the tournament tree and is also a strong player.
Question: In the audience, many Canadian e-athletes loudly cheered with you. Is this close cohesion of the top German players an advantage over other FIFA nations?
Answer: We are already really strong together. In the game, I also heard them all the time, how they were all screaming around. And the day after, you notice how the voice is gone from everyone. It's super cool that they were so happy for me, excited and pushed me too. I really appreciate that! But Nico was also fired up. That was a good battle. But I think Canada has already won in terms of mood.
World Champion in FIFA 22: "I take this very, very seriously"
Question: The streamer Elias "EliasN97" Nerlich praised your discipline in his stream. Unlike other e-athletes, they would have mostly canceled him when it came to playing other games like Fortnite or Among Us together. Do you consider yourself so disciplined?
Answer: I don't know if I am so disciplined - but I already take this very, very seriously. When I play a World Cup, I fully focus on it and give everything for it. You don't know what will happen in the future. I know that I have been very good at my FIFA skill this year and FIFA 22 is good for me. That was also my personal ambition to say: I have to get through this now - even if I would have liked to play other games with the boys. FIFA is my job.
Question: You seemed mentally very stable and calm throughout the tournament. Are you putting any special energy into it?
Answer: I think that's just my personality. I'm more of the type that I want to stay focused. After beating Emre Yilmaz in the semifinals, for example, I just tried to stay in focus and not shout around. Because I knew: There's still the final.
Next task for Umut: Fifa Nations Cup
Question: The big final of the season is the Fifa Nations Cup next week. How do you see your chances with your teammate Mustafa "Musti" Cankal?
Answer: This is a 2v2, so a completely different game. The cards have been reshuffled. But I would say that Musti and I are very good in the 2v2. That's why I think we have a good chance.
About the person: Umut "RBLZ_Umut" Gültekin has been a FIFA professional at RB Leipzig since 2020. Last year he won the Canadian individual championship of the Virtual Bundesliga, this year he became the runner-up. The FIFA World Cup title is the 19-year-old from Hamburg's biggest success to date. He has already been awarded the "eFootballer of the Year" twice by the "kicker".
