In the pre-Columbian mythology, a quetzal bird represented the balance between the earthly and the celestial. Its bright colors and ability to fly above the highest trees made the Maya think of it as a messenger between the spiritual and physical world.
It is no coincidence, perhaps, that Mexico’s “phygital” sports team, Quetzales–Armadillos FC, crowned champion of the 2025 Games of the Future in Abu Dhabi (GOTF), chose to name themselves after this majestic bird. The Quetzales squad is at the forefront of a sporting movement that aims to find balance between two universes that until now seemed to operate completely at odds with one another.
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“Phygital brings together the physical sports we’ve grown up with and the digital formats that resonate with today’s audiences, creating a single competitive structure that feels both natural and future-facing,” John Hewitt, Communications Director of Phygital International, explained to Mexico News Daily.
Mexico’s world champions
Unlike traditional sports teams, Quetzales bring together players from very different worlds. While some members developed their careers in indoor soccer, also known as futsal, others built their careers in competitive esports.
Consisting of eight players who contribute to the team’s performance across both activities — the roster features brother Eder and Aldair Giorgana, as well as Eddie Sanchez, Magaña, Rodrigo Ulibarri, Joksan, Divine CS and goalkeeper Giovanni R. — it is no surprise that Quetzales has established itself as the futsal team to beat, dominating the discipline.
Winning the 2025 Games Of The Future tournament marked a huge milestone for the Mexican squad, the only one from the country to make it to Abu Dhabi, cementing it as the best team in Latin America.
Requiring gaming skills and physical movement, preparation for the tournament called on players to break out of their comfort zones and develop new skills — both on the pitch and on the screen.
“We anticipated that mastering the digital aspect would be one of the main challenges,” Quetzales said in a statement. “However, the phygital philosophy is not about separating the disciplines but integrating them to create new opportunities.”
A hybrid approach
The result was a new kind of training in which athletes and gamers learned about each other’s skillsets.
“This approach encourages gamers to push themselves further in physical sport, while traditional football players are challenged to test their tactical knowledge and skills on digital platforms,” the team explained.
Moreover, phygital games have merged the enthusiasm for video gaming with the excitement of physical sports, promoting more active habits and counteracting the sedentary lifestyle often associated with gaming.
“We want to highlight how this balance can positively influence everyday life and health,” Quetzales explained. “Beyond the scoreboard, our strategy focused on the ‘big picture’: Phygital sports as a tool to unite people, expand a global community and encourage a lifestyle that combines the passion for gaming with physical activity.”
The fusion of two seemingly isolated universes has been met with enthusiasm from fans. The Games Of The Future tournament in Abu Dhabi drew over 450 million viewers worldwide and more than 850 participants from over 60 countries.
Moreover, Hewitt said organizers are also seeing a growing interest in hosting future editions of the tournament, with Serbia, Uzbekistan, Brazil and South Africa having already submitted their bids.
Quetzales hope to continue to excel in future competitions
The next tournament is set to take place from July 29 to Aug. 9 in Astana, Kazakhstan, where organizers expect to increase last year’s figures and attract 900 athletes from over 50 countries. Organizers also anticipate drawing a live audience of 100,000 spectators, who will experience the surreal atmosphere of players moving from gaming stations to the pitch, as fans cheer for digital plays and physical moves alike.
Much like the Mexican bird, the squad is focused on continuing to soar in pursuit of their next goal: retaining their championship title in Astana.
Gabriela Solis is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer. She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her lifestyle blog Dunas y Palmeras.
