2024 Nexon Icon Match: Football Legends Unite in a Thrilling 4-1 Showdown with 3.6 Million Viewers!

Photo = News 1 Nexon received an enthusiastic response not only from players but also from football fans with the ‘2024 Nexon Icon Match’, which brought together the legendary football players of the world for a competition.

Nexon held two events at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 19th and 20th. On the 19th, an opening game, special, tactical training, and small games were held as the eve before the main game that was to be held the next day. On the 20th, the attacking team ‘FC Spear’ faced the defending team ‘Shield United’ in the main game. On this day, more than 64,000 spectators filled the stadium.

The cumulative number of live online viewers of the two-day event was approximately 3.6 million. The peak number of concurrent users was around 270,000. MBC, the broadcaster that only aired this event, recorded a TV viewership rating of 3.5%, confirming its popularity. All image compatible products such as uniforms and mufflers were sold out.

Players who participated in the ‘2024 Nexon Icon Match’ held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 20th are celebrating with the event’s championship trophy. Provided by Nexon

Full of attractions with unique contests and fan service

The event held on the 19th was held in the following order: ‘One-on-one Battle’, ‘Power Battle’, and ‘Shooting Battle’. In the one-on-one match, FC Spear players except Lee Cheon-soo were blocked by Shield United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, and Shield United won. In the battle of power that featured shooting power, Shield United won after an extra time match. Yaya Toure showed his power by beating 7 out of 10 panels against Didier Drogba.

Didier Drogba shoots at the ‘2024 Nexon Icon Match’ held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 19th. In the final shooting battle provided by Nexon, Alessandro Del Piero succeeded in a free kick, and FC Spear won. The final set score was 2 to 1 for Shield United. Former Shield United captain Rio Ferdinand greeted the fans wearing a white dragon robe. Nexon donated 100 million won, a portion of ticket profits, to the Purme Nexon Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital in the name of the Shield United team.

One observer who watched this event said, “I was curious about who had the upper hand in one-on-ones, shooting, power, etc. between the attackers and the defenders who had skills outstanding in their active years,” and “Through this event, I was able to see the battle between famous players in person, making it an unforgettable experience.” “I have it,” he said.

11v11 games between legendary players

The soccer match between FC Spear and Shield United started on the 20th with Cha Bum-geun, a famous soccer player from Korea, coming out holding the championship cup. Shield United developed an attack based on Clarence Seedorf, who played as a main striker. The team ended the first half with a 2-0 lead thanks to Toure’s opener and Seedorf’s long-range goal.

In the second half, Park Joo-ho scored after receiving a pass from Seedorf, and Javier Mascherano added another goal. i hit him Just before the end, former Spear FC coach Ji-Sung Park made a spectacular save and scored a penalty kick, ending the game as a 4-1 win for Shield United.

The defending team ‘Shield United’ celebrates after winning the ‘2024 Nexon Icon Match’ at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 20th. Provided by Nexon Fans also answered the games of the legendary players. It was easy to find fans wearing the uniforms of the players during their active years and cheering them on. There were fans who shed tears when Park Ji-sung scored a goal. One observer who saw the game in person said, “From the looks of the players to the play, the atmosphere in the stadium remained for a while even after the game was over again in the era future.”

Image match between ‘FC Online’ and ‘FC Mobile’

There were many things to enjoy outside of the game. Nexon held an opening to enlighten the players by realistically showing the opening of a card pack for the game ‘FC Online’. In this game, Park Jeong-moo, the head of Nexon FC Group, appeared as the guest of the medal to decide the direction of attack and the priority of the two teams. Nexon also presented a game coupon with a coin made with an image representing the game icon and the phrase, ‘Match kickoff like never before in the world.’

Bands also brightened the mood of the event. At the event on the 19th, Transfiction, a band that performed ‘Radio’, played FC Online’s representative background music. During the break immediately after the first half of the game on the 20th, All Time Low, the band that sang ‘Time-Boom’, played another background song for FC Online. The audience even sang along to this song.

The sight of Park Ji-sung stepping onto the grass, whose participation was uncertain at first due to the poor condition of his knee, gave football fans a different feeling. When Ji-Sung Park, who came on as a substitute in the 40th minute of the second half, scored a penalty kick, the Seoul World Cup stadium was filled with the voices of fans singing the player’s anthem ‘Wisongpare’. It was enough of a moment to make football fans emotional.

Shield United’s John Arne Riise tackles Kaka FC Sphere (real name Ricardo Leic) at the ‘2024 Nexon Icon Match’ held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 20th. Presented by Nexon Group President Park said, “This Icon Match was a festival where game users and football fans could enjoy together by presenting football matches with legendary players from around the world that were only possible in imagination and games,” saying, “We will continue to hold various events connecting football and games in the future.

Reporter Lee Ju-hyeon deep@hankyung.com