Futbol Star Wendell Lira Leaves Real Soccer Field To Focus On Virtual One

From striker to gamer.

Wendell Lira is kind of not bad at soccer. In 2015, the Brazilian striker received the FIFA Puskás Award, an honor bestowed on the player- male or female- who scored the most beautiful goal during that particular year.

He’s also had a decently-long career, having started in his first professional game in 2007. It appears, however, that Lira has decided to cut that career short in order to pursue another one: professional gaming.

As reported by Fox Sports, Lira has decided that his future lies in eSports, the growing professional gaming trend that covers everything from League of Legends to Tetris, probably. His game of choice appears to be- surprise, surprise- FIFA Soccer, as he has already beaten previous Interactive World Cup winner Abdulaziz Alshehri in a smashing 6 to 1.

People were interested in these podcasts

Play Episode

65min

The Play-By-Play

Sports media election talk, Joel Embiid shoves reporter, Bob Costas retires

Election Day was yesterday. Sports media talking heads were all over that. Joel Embiid is suspended three games for shoving Marcus Hayes. Bob Costas is retiring from play-by-play. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including why Election Night cable TV news sucked on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-2:22: Election talk in sports media-15:27: Current sports figure who could enter politics?-17:38: Current sports media figure who could enter politics?-21:38: Joel Embiid shoves Marcus Hayes-43:04: Bob Costas retiring from play-by-play-52:50: Most recognizable non-QB currently in the NFL not named Travis Kelce?-58:02: Election Night TV coverage sucksYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Play-By-Play

Stephen A. Smith’s new ESPN contract, TGL talk, what replaces 'Around the Horn?'

Stephen A. Smith and ESPN finally have a deal and the TGL is entering the playoffs in their first season. Awful Announcing's Brandon Contes and Drew Lerner join Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen to discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:01: Stephen A. Smith’s new ESPN contract with Brandon Contes-32:23 TGL entering playoffs with Drew Lerner-50:33: What should replace “Around the Horn?”-58:33 Giving up X posting for Lent updateYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Play-By-Play

Tom Brady's best broadcast, Bill Simmons and Spotify, Barstool departures

Tom Brady rose to the occasion during the Commanders-Lions game. Bill Simmons is reportedly likely sticking with Spotify. Amazon hires Kevin Harlan for their NBA coverage. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including "Bussin' With The Boys" leaving Barstool Sports on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:36: Ohio State winning national championship-1:51: Commanders-Lions review, Tom Brady’s best(?) game so far-15:51: NFL broadcaster #1 booth power rankings-23:47: Bill Simmons likely renewing with Spotify-40:19: Bill Simmons subreddit-42:14: Amazon hiring Kevin Harlan as #2 NBA play-by-play-51:24: Hot Mics-51:41: “Bussin’ With The Boys” and Grace O’Malley leaving Barstool-58:16: Ohio State guiltYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Play-By-Play

Super Bowl storylines, sportsbooks dialing back sponsored content

Two weeks of Super Bowl coverage is going to bring repeated talking points. Sports betting companies are cutting funding for sponsored content. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including Deion Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-2:23: Super Bowl storylines you’re going to get tired of hearing-6:09: The Super Bowl storyline draft-32:22: Sports betting companies cutting back on sponsored content-47:59: Awful Announcing’s new newsletter/Deion Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys-51:52: ESPN appYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So, just to recap: Wendell Lira left behind a professional sports career- something man of us have dreamed about- to pursue a professional eSports career- something many of us have dreamed about. A better man than the lot of us? Most likely.

Speaking of retired sports players: remember Derek Jeter? You know: the handsome Yankees player who ruled the baseball world for years? He’s the luck husband to one Miss Hannah Davis. Check the deck below to see some of our favorite pics from her Instagram.

[stackerdecks_id]NTlzNDI3Ng==[/stackerdecks_id]

[Fox Sports]

Photo: The 18

About Andres Domenech