The American Darren “IShowSpeed” Watkins (19) has become one of the most successful live streamers on YouTube with gaming and soccer. His enthusiasm for Cristiano Ronaldo knows no bounds. On Friday, February 23, the 19-year-old had to play soccer himself, alongside and against former world stars like Roberto Carlos and Eden Hazard. It didn’t go so well.
Where did IShowSpeed play?
- The match was called “Match for Hope” and took place on February 23 in Qatar. The teams consisted of influencers like IShowSpeed, but also some former footballers.
- In the “AboFlash” team were former world-class footballers like Makélélé, Kaká, and Didier Drogba. IShowSpeed first asked Drogba if he might be Paul Pogba’s father (via twitter).
- For Team Chunkz played Roberto Carlos, David Villa, and Eden Hazard. Here, IShowSpeed was also playing.
Bloodbath and Chance of Death
How did IShowSpeed perform? Not very well.
The young American committed an assassination attempt on poor Kaká in the 26th minute and saw yellow for a tackle from hell.
In the 29th minute he completely missed a great opportunity that Eden Hazard served up on a silver platter, but IShowSpeed stepped past the ball.
His confidence was completely gone when Roberto Carlos tried to encourage him in the locker room; by then, IShowSpeed was already at his wits’ end (via twitter).
Reporters and the Eternal Enemy Mock
How did it get worse? After the match, IShowSpeed had to hear from his eternal enemy KSI that he “was just shit.”
He posted a picture with IShowSpeed’s “Heat Map,” which took place on the bench.
In a post-match interview, he was also ridiculed. The reporter curiously asked how he could miss so many chances. Then the reporter realized what he had caused with the question and switched to a paternal tone.
But by then, the usually fiery American had probably just had enough, and he ended the interview shaking his head (via twitter).
“I’m sorry, I’m done with football. I’m done with this shit”
This is how IShowSpeed felt about his performance: The 19-year-old was inconsolable after the match and announced his immediate retirement from football. He apologized to the viewers for playing so poorly.
However, the fans cheered him on, saying he had played with a knee injury, and for that alone he deserved respect.
What it’s about: Despite all the love for IShowSpeed: It was noticeable even during the Sidemen event in September 2023, that while he is a very athletic and motivated young man, he is also an American who probably had nothing to do with football until a few months ago. Most of the other influencers he plays against come from Europe, where one is almost inevitably confronted with football in some form during youth.
More about IShowSpeed: YouTube: 17-year-old reveals live the private number of FC Bayern football star – “3 seconds later the phone goes crazy”
