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Roberto Carlos exclusive: the Global Ambassador for Football for Friendship answers the questions of Young Participants from all over the world

Published

5 years ago

May 28, 2021

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The former Brazilian international, three-time winner of the Champions League and Global Ambassador of the Gazprom International Children’s Social Programme Football for Friendship (F4F), Roberto Carlos, spoke in an exclusive press conference with Young Players and Young Journalists about his life, his career and his support for F4F.

Roberto Carlos won the World Cup with the Brazilian national team in 2002. He also won the UEFA Champions League title three times (1998, 2000 and 2002) with Real Madrid as well as numerous national league championship titles. Currently, he is working as a youth coach at Real Madrid. Since 2020 he has also been a Global Ambassador for Football for Friendship. He has supported the programme since 2019, when he presented the winners of the F4F World Championship the cup at the closing events in Madrid, having taken part in other important highlights of the tournament as well.

In an online press conference at the end of May, he answered a wide range of questions from Young Players and Young Journalists with charm and wit. The topics ranged from the highlights of his career to his relationship with his family, his native country Brazil, and his support for Football for Friendship.

Asked about his most famous goal, Roberto Carlos couldn’t suppress a smile at first because, as he explained, he is often asked this question. But he then went on to mention his free kick against France on 3rd June 1997 at the Tournament of France in the 21st minute of the game and also his spectacular goal against CD Teneriffa on 21st February 1998. He also explained that the derby match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona had always been a highlight. He said that the Brazilian national team of 2002 and Real Madrid with its galacticos were his favourite teams, and argued that whether or not football was becoming more and more commercialised depended a lot on the actual club. Overall, football would continue to develop both technically and tactically.

He told David Sargent from Ireland that it was true that he had been named after the famous Brazilian singer Roberto Carlos Braga. It had been the wish of his father, whose favourite singer this was. He, Roberto Carlos, was a great admirer of the Brazilian singer Alexandre Pires. He explained that his family had been poor and that, when he was twelve, he had wanted to become a lawyer. But then everything had quickly turned out differently: a football career in Brazil, the national team and an invitation to play in Europe. He said that his family had always supported him, particularly his father, who had played football himself. And, of course, it had been painful to leave his family when he was just 13 years old.

Kinley Deki Yangzom from Bhutan asked him what he would do differently. He replied that everything had gone well and had helped him to develop personally and professionally. He told Miriam Sheahan from Ireland that he had never been afraid. But of course he had had dreams, for example to be able to build his parents a house.

In his view, respect towards others, and good, friendly behaviour – towards one’s opponent as well – were important qualities. He told Dominic Kramberger from Sweden that teamwork was an important precondition for success. And his answer to the question from Xuance Li, a Young Journalist from China, was that, because he himself had always behaved properly towards others, he had never been offended by anyone. Mihajlo Nasik, a Young Journalist from Serbia, played Roberto Carlos a serenade on his piano and then asked him about his creative hobbies. Roberto answered that he didn’t have any special talents and that his life was taken up with football 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Doro Yusupov from Tajikistan wanted to know what, in his view, were typical traditions in Brazil. The football star’s answer was good fortune, good food, respect for one’s family and the desire to spend the weekend with one’s family. Aahana Kamboj from India observed that Brazil had so many good footballers and asked whether it was to do with a particular kind of sand on the beaches there. Carlos replied that he had lived in India for some time and had a great love for the country. He went on to explain that the sand on the beaches most certainly wasn’t the reason why Brazil had so many good footballers. Quite simply, the people in his country played football everywhere and everyone wanted to become a star.

What he found good about Football for Friendship was that so many Young Players and Young Journalists meet up and can interact with one another. He thanked the young people for their many interesting questions and wished them all every success.

The 9th season of Football for Friendship is taking place in an online format from 14th to 29th May 2021. This year, F4F is bringing boys and girls together from more than 200 countries and regions. Young Players aged 12 are taking part in the 2021 Football for Friendship eWorld Championship (eF4F). The competition is being played on “F4F World”, the football simulator, which is available free of charge in 27 languages on MS Windows, Apple MacOS, Android and iOS.

Young Journalists report in the International Children’s Press Centre on the events in the 9th season of Football for Friendship and share with their friends the most important values in the programme: friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions, and honour.

You can watch the video of this press conference by clicking on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi6qD7wkhWA.

Aahana Kamboj, India: “I really enjoyed the session with Football for Friendship Global Ambassador, Roberto Carlos, where the Young Journalists from different countries asked questions related to his football career. Even I got the opportunity to ask a question. According to Roberto, teamwork is the key to success, and everyone must follow this rule to be successful in life.”

eSports

Esports Awards 2026 Returns for Global Honors

Published

12 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-awards-2026-returns-for-global-honors

The Esports Awards is set to return in 2026, bringing together the global esports community for its annual celebration of excellence.

Scheduled to take place in North America later this year, the awards will honor the top players, teams, creators, and innovators who defined the past year in competitive gaming. Exact dates and venues will be revealed in the coming months.

Last year marked a major milestone for the Esports Awards, celebrating 10 years of esports achievements at the HyperX Arena in Las Vegas. The ceremony recognized industry icons such as Mathieu “Zywoo” Herbaut, iShowSpeed, and Animesh “Thug” Agarwal, while inducting six new members into the Lifetime Achievement in Esports: Class of 2025. Earlier in 2025, the Esports Awards hosted the one-off Decade Awards, which drew a global audience of 36.25 million live viewers.

For the 2026 edition, fan-favorite categories such as Esports Game of the Year, Esports Personality of the Year, Streamer of the Year, and Esports Team of the Year will return, giving fans a direct voice in recognizing the standout moments and figures in esports over the past year. Winners will be determined through a combination of community voting and input from the Esports Awards Panel, which includes seasoned industry veterans, broadcasters, creators, and professional players, ensuring both credibility and integrity.

In addition to the main ceremony, the Esports Awards Golf Invitational will make a comeback, offering a day of networking and friendly competition for industry leaders, creators, and esports competitors ahead of the awards.

Michael Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards, said: “The Esports Awards continues to shine a spotlight on the very best in esports and gaming, and we’re pleased to return for 2026. Following the success of the Decade Awards and our 10th anniversary celebrations, we look forward to recognizing the individuals, teams, and moments that defined the past year in esports.”

Fans are encouraged to follow the Esports Awards’ official X account for updates on venues, dates, nominees, and voting.

The post Esports Awards 2026 Returns for Global Honors appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Acquisition

Optimove Buys Smartico, Keeps Independence

Published

12 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

optimove-buys-smartico,-keeps-independence

In a strategic move set to reshape the competitive landscape of iGaming marketing technology, Optimove has announced the acquisition of Smartico. Despite the deal, both companies will continue to operate independently—preserving their brands, leadership teams, and product strategies.

This acquisition comes at a pivotal moment for the global online gambling industry. According to recent market research, the sector reached an estimated $95.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to nearly double to $185.17 billion by 2033. As the industry scales, so does its complexity, driven by evolving regulations in Europe, fragmentation in the United States, and rapid expansion across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In this environment, robust customer relationship management (CRM) solutions are no longer optional—they are essential.

A Strategic Alliance Without Integration

Unlike traditional acquisitions that lead to integration, Optimove’s approach is notably different. Smartico will remain a fully autonomous business unit, with its founders continuing to lead strategic direction, product development, and day-to-day operations. Clients can expect no disruption in services, pricing, or product offerings.

This independence reflects a deliberate strategy: fostering competition within the same ecosystem. Both companies will continue to innovate separately, pushing each other—and the broader industry—forward.

Two Distinct Visions of iGaming CRM

The deal unites two of the most influential approaches to CRM in iGaming:

Optimove built its reputation on advanced data analytics and AI-driven marketing. As the originator of the “Positionless Marketing” concept, the company enables marketers to orchestrate campaigns using intelligent agents that deliver hyper-personalized experiences at scale. This approach has reportedly improved campaign efficiency by up to 88%.
Smartico, on the other hand, carved out its niche by integrating gamification directly into CRM systems. By embedding game-like mechanics into player engagement strategies, Smartico has helped operators drive deeper interaction and retention. The company is now advancing further by incorporating generative AI across its platform.

Together, these two philosophies—data-centric intelligence and gamified engagement—represent the future of player retention and marketing in iGaming.

Strengthening Market Leadership

According to Pini Yakuel, the decision to acquire Smartico was driven by its originality and execution. He emphasized that Smartico stood out as a competitor due to its pioneering role in combining gamification with CRM—an innovation that has since become a key differentiator in the market.

Similarly, Arman Gal highlighted that the partnership allows Smartico to scale faster while maintaining its identity. With Optimove’s backing, the company gains additional resources to expand its innovation capabilities and global reach.

Competition as a Catalyst for Innovation

Interestingly, both companies will continue to compete in the same market. Optimove will further develop its gamification solution, Optimove Gamify, while Smartico continues executing its independent roadmap. This dual-track strategy is rooted in the belief that competition drives better outcomes for operators.

Rather than consolidating power, the acquisition creates a dynamic ecosystem where two leading platforms evolve side by side—each pushing the boundaries of what CRM can achieve in iGaming.

The Role of AI in the Next Phase of Growth

Artificial intelligence remains at the core of this transformation. Optimove has been embedding AI into its platform since 2012, long before it became industry standard. Today, its AI-powered decisioning agents enable real-time campaign orchestration across multiple channels.

Smartico is following a similar trajectory, integrating generative AI to enhance its gamification-driven engagement model. This convergence signals a broader trend: the fusion of AI, CRM, and user experience design as the next frontier in digital marketing.

A Defining Moment for iGaming Marketing

This acquisition underscores the maturation of the iGaming CRM sector. What began as a niche category has evolved into a critical component of modern marketing infrastructure. With two leading innovators now aligned—yet independent—the industry is poised for accelerated innovation.

For operators navigating an increasingly complex global market, the message is clear: the future belongs to those who can combine data intelligence, personalization, and immersive engagement.

THE ESPORTS AWARDS RETURNS IN 2026 FOR A CELEBRATION OF ESPORTS EXCELLENCE

Published

12 hours ago

April 7, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

the-esports-awards-returns-in-2026-for-a-celebration-of-esports-excellence

The Esports Awards will return later this year for its 2026 edition, taking place in North America and honouring the outstanding players, teams, creators and innovators of the past year in esports
Last year marked a major milestone for the Esports Awards, celebrating 10 years of excellence at the HyperX Arena, alongside the one-off Decade Awards, which reached 36.25M live views globally
The Esports Awards Golf Invitational will also return, bringing together industry leaders, creators and competitors for a day of networking and competition ahead of the main ceremony
Full details on the venue, date, nominees and voting will be revealed in the coming months

The Esports Awards has announced the return of its annual ceremony for 2026. Bringing together the global esports community under one roof, the Esports Awards will once again recognise the players, teams, creators and innovators who have defined the past year. The ceremony will take place in North America later this year, with exact dates and venue to be revealed in the coming months.

Last year’s edition of the Esports Awards marked a significant milestone, celebrating 10 years of esports excellence at the HyperX Arena in Las Vegas. The ceremony honoured some of the industry’s most recognised figures, including Mathieu “Zywoo” Herbaut, iShowSpeed and Animesh “Thug” Agarwal, while welcoming six new inductees into the Lifetime Achievement in Esports: Class of 2025 award. Earlier in the year, the Esports Awards also hosted the one-off Decade Awards in August, presented by Trevor “Quickshot” Henry, Jessica “JessGOAT” Bolden and Barney Banks, reaching 36.25M live views globally.

For the 2026 edition, fan-favourite categories including Esports Game of the Year, Esports Personality of the Year, Streamer of the Year and Esports Team of the Year will return, giving the community a voice in recognising the moments and individuals that shaped the past year in esports.

Winners will be determined through a combination of community voting and input from the Esports Awards Panel, a group of industry veterans, broadcasters, creators and players, ensuring the integrity and credibility of the awards.

In addition to the main ceremony, the Esports Awards Golf Invitational will return, bringing together industry leaders, creators and competitors for a day of networking and competition ahead of the awards.

“The Esports Awards continues to shine a spotlight on the very best in esports and gaming, and we’re pleased to return for 2026” said Michael Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards. “Following the success of the Decade Awards and our 10th anniversary celebrations, we look forward to recognising the individuals, teams and moments that defined the past year in esports.”

Further updates regarding the venue, date, nominees and voting will be announced in the coming months. Fans are encouraged to follow the Esports Awards’ X account for the latest updates.

The post THE ESPORTS AWARDS RETURNS IN 2026 FOR A CELEBRATION OF ESPORTS EXCELLENCE appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.