The Iceman: Nicolas99fc’s journey to become one of the greatest of all time

• Nicolas has been competing with Guild Esports after a fresh change of scenery from representing Basel over the last few seasons

• The opportunities that the top level of FIFAe has given to him and his family

• Whether he is as ice-cold in person day-to-day as he is in front of the virtual pitches

This month, we look at the story of a man who has been around at the very top of the FIFAe scene for over five years. This is the story of ‘The Iceman’, Nicolas Villalba. 

It’s cold at the top of the mountain

When you say the name Nicolas to anyone competing at FIFAe, they know exactly who you’re talking about. After all, this is a man from Argentina who has been to easily over five pinnacle events in the modern history of FIFAe, in every single different narrative. 

Surprisingly though, although being coined ‘The Iceman’ by commentators Richard Buckley and Brandon Smith in FIFA 18, due to his cool, calm, composed nature in front of the screen, he only has one pinnacle title to his name, winning the FIFAe Club World Cup™ 2019 with Donovan ‘Tekkz’ Hunt, representing KiNG Esports.

However, he has dominated proceedings in the South America region for quite some time. After decent performances at the back end of the FIFA 17 and FIFA 18 seasons, he managed to get a move to represent Swiss club FC Basel. 

Many thought he would easily claim the FIFAe World Cup™ at the end of the 2019 season, only to be undone by penalties via MoAuba, in what some consider the best FIFA esports match of all time. 

After several close 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed finishes across different narratives, as well as interruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, Nicolas decided to switch scenery, by signing with Guild Esports (owned by David Beckham) for this season, partnering up with fellow veteran Niklas Raseck. That partnership has already proved fruitful, as they secured a first place finish in the second week of the EA SPORTS™ FGS Masters Cup.

Captaining his country of Argentina to the top of the FIFAe Nations Online Qualifiers™ Play-Ins, it’s safe to say that Nicolas is still very much at the top of his game this season, and you wouldn’t want to count him out of winning any tournament come the end of the year.

The Iceman on how he dominates FIFAe games and tournaments

“In every EA SPORTS™ FIFA I try to keep the ball, move the ball, I don’t like to pass it around the back, I like to go forward. I’m always trying that, and I’ve tried to keep it the same from past EA SPORTS™ FIFAs. I'm a good defensive player, which is the skill gap in the game for me, because a lot of people are good at attacking. I try to score goals!”

Nicolas explains that winning a FIFAe tournament takes time. “I want to win tournaments, I want top 4, 3, 2 1, I always want to win. It’s a process though, but I have learnt that over the years. You always need to learn and improve,” he explains. “The next tournament you may do better than the last but not win, but then five tournaments down the road, you win, because it’s a process.”

Like most professional players, the mindset is always the most important thing about competing. “Over the last five years, I have had the history and confidence to do better in the next qualifiers [this season]. Believing in yourself is a lot in the gameplay. First of all, you need to know how to play, but during the game, the mindset is so important”, Nicolas says, “Say you are losing 2-0, some people give up, but maybe if you are confident, you score one. You are very close to drawing again. In these tough moments, your mindset is your comfort place.” 

The dream? It’s always been clear to Nicolas. He’s come so close on many occasions, but believes this could be his year. “The main goal is to qualify for the FIFAe World Cup. It’s a step by step process. Qualifiers, separate tournaments, you have many of them. You need to earn points to get to the Playoffs but I am working on every tournament,” he continues, “but I really like the 2v2 competitions. I enjoy the format because it’s different, you need communication, you need to do the same as your partner.”

The opportunities competing at the highest level brings

The top-level of EA SPORTS™ FIFA comes with a few benefits for Nicolas and his family. “FIFAe has given me the opportunity to travel, I have been to many countries, many tournaments, I really like it and my family travels with me sometimes,” he explains with a bright smile on his face, “That means a lot to me, to be able to help my family. Last year, I met David Beckham too [with Guild]. I just try to enjoy the moment. At first, I was very nervous, you are meeting a superstar, he is a really nice guy and I enjoyed meeting him.”

As mentioned, Nicolas moved to Guild, owned by Beckham, at the start of this year. “Guild Esports are amazing, they have given me the opportunity to live in London, when I was always in Argentina. This is a different chapter for me, I was with Basel, but I really like London, I always liked it from travelling.” He must be British at heart, because he even enjoys the lack of sunshine! “I even like the weather, it’s maybe a bit strange, but I enjoy it. My girlfriend and I are trying to adapt to this city, she is my company.

How does Nicolas handle the pressure and disappointment of a result not going his way? “One of the best things I found over the years was to just talk. I have had some tough times when playing EA SPORTS™ FIFA but just talking with my family, my girlfriend, it’s good to get it out and feel better. Last season, I was feeling very frustrated because the results were not the best, but I spoke with my family and they told me to rest and travel, and I felt much better afterwards.”

Football at the heart of everything

Nicolas is intent on busting ‘The Iceman’ myth when it comes to his personal life. “Many people call me the Iceman because I show no emotion on stream and playing EA SPORTS™ FIFA, but in reality I am actually a funny, normal guy. I used to be very shy when I was a child but now I have flipped that around!” 

“For me, football was always being watched by my brother and my dad. My brother plays for the team in a city in Argentina and I was always watching him. Football is everything to us, it’s got a special role where I am from,” Nicolas explains, “However my brother likes River Plate and my father likes Boca, so I was stuck in the middle! Family is everything to me. I grew up with them and they taught me everything I know. They support me in esports, it’s different, I play to be the best, but I play for them.”

“Family is everything.” 

Nicolas is confident that this season will be his best yet, but he is focused on going game by game and qualifier by qualifier to get to the pinnacle events at the end of the season. The FIFAe World Cup is his dream, and in the form that he’s been in this season with Guild Esports, you’d certainly not bet against him to be a key figure come the end of the year.