Speaking the same language of passion: Why football and CS for 9z Team are one game

On the eve of the World Football Forum 2026, the team’s partner 1xBet spoke with the players about how discipline on the field turns into wins on Counter-Strike servers, and why team “chemistry” is more important than individual skill.

Football in the DNA: From jokes to unity

South America is the cradle of the greatest rivalries. When a team brings together players from countries with the fiercest competition on the continent, sparks are inevitable. But 9z has turned this into a team-building element and a platform for friendly teasing:

“Most of the arguments are always between dgt and max, who are both Uruguayan and support rival clubs: Nacional and Peñarol. They’re constantly arguing about which is the best team in the country,” with a smile, says the team coach Bruno “BIT” Fukuda Lima.

Despite club rivalries, national teams are something completely different. The players admit that even during tight tournament schedules, they still find time to watch matches from the World Football Forum 2026 together. Moreover, if they had to urgently replace the national team coach, the squad would unanimously choose Maximiliano “max” Gonzalez, their main football expert and the best at juggling a ball in the team.

The parallel between the server and the football field

The similarity between the CS world and football is much deeper than it seems at first glance. Aggressive pressing on Dust 2 or Mirage requires the same level of synchronization from players as a defensive line stepping up to create an offside trap. According to the coach, tactical flexibility is the key to winning in both disciplines:

“In football, just like in CS, there is no single correct style. All maps have their own strategic points, and everything changes from team to team, you have to know how to adapt to all styles,” notes BIT.

Roles in the team are also distributed interestingly. In football, the “number 10” (the number of Messi and Maradona) is a symbol of hope. Franco “dgt” Garcia believes that in esports this role has transformed: “We don’t have jerseys with numbers, but we have a star player – the one everyone relies on in the most important moment.”

Talent vs discipline

Can discipline replace genius? Matias “HUASOPEEK” Ibañez Hernandez believes that in CS, hard work matters more. “Precise aim in-game – that’s something you can practice every day. But dribbling like Neymar, his special touch –  it’s much more natural talent.”

At the same time, HUASOPEEK finds his inspiration in the play of legendary Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo: “He always transmitted a lot of calm during his matches with the national team,” and in CS, calmness is also the main weapon.

The energy of home crowds

For South American teams, fan support is literally like a “sixth player” in the game. The upcoming World Football Forum 2026 will take place in North America, and for the roster, it feels like a home tournament.

“Honestly, it would be amazing to play in our country because the crowd would be on our side, and that would motivate us,” shares Ignacio “Meyern” Meyer.

But what are the players willing to do for success? The choice between a national team victory at the main summer tournament and 9z winning a Major turned out to be surprisingly simple, “Winning the Major, without a doubt,” answered BIT.

The game as a reflection of life

For 9z, football and esports are two wings of the same passion. It is discipline, the ability to handle enormous pressure, and a readiness to fight until the last second. Whether it is an 80,000-seat stadium or a final round in a broadcast with millions of viewers, the emotions are always overwhelming.

This approach is close not only to fans but also to business. This synergy between sports and technology creates unique opportunities for cooperation. The 1xPartners program makes it possible to convert fan loyalty and monetize this passion, combining audiences from different disciplines into one global ecosystem with stable income.

It doesn’t matter whether you are holding a mouse or kicking a ball with your foot – what matters is having a reliable partner and a team of professionals beside you, focused on shared success.