The Team Gullit youngsters looking to cause a splash this season

• Team Gullit stars looking to build further upon rookie years in FIFAe scene

• Levi de Weerd and Oliver Roberts on how important the right mindset is

• Oliver’s journey from a small town in Denmark to the biggest stages worldwide

Team Gullit’s prominent rise

When Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit got involved in FIFA esports back in 2018 - Team Gullit had a very clear vision: find the best new talent in the ecosystem and develop them to be the most elite player they can be. 

Team Gullit has had success with this model over the last few years - Swedish talent ‘OLLIELITO’ signed in 2019 and won a FUT Champions Cup with the team, blasting him onto the radars of many big organisations - he had only just turned 18 at the time.

Now, a comparison can be drawn with Danish superstar Oliver Roberts and young Dutch talent Levi de Weerd. A popular figure in the Dutch scene already - Levi had a great year last season - winning two EU EA SPORTS FIFA Global Series qualifiers back-to-back, and claiming two top-five finishes in the eDivisie for Vitesse. 

Levi de Weerd’s love for his family & dreams for the future

“At the start of the game, it’s always difficult,” explains Levi on his prospects for the upcoming season. “It’s way easier to be good at the end of the game. I don’t want to say I’m a slow starter, but I always leave some room to adapt. I need to practice a lot.”

Levi is very honest in his assessment of himself, cool and assured. “Every day my confidence grows. Reaching the FIFAe World Cup is my main goal, but the FIFAe Nations Cup (FeNC) and FIFAe Club World Cup (FeCWC) are very important.” 

He has a sparkle in his eye as the FeCWC and FeNC are mentioned. This is still a relatively new format for the players, as instead of just a one-on-one matchup like they are used to at home, new variables of a teammate and chemistry are introduced. 

“I think [2v2] is way more fun than 1v1. I’ve been grinding it a lot, to be honest, I think it’s way more enjoyable because I’m talking with my teammate, we learn from each other, we try to be better. 2v2 feels like a real team sport. For the viewers, I feel it’s more enjoyable to watch, there’s way more action.”

Levi mentions his mentality as one of the strongest attributes that he has as a professional player. “My mindset - obviously, we don’t lose, we learn. It’s what puts me at this level - if I lose, I always get up from it, it’s very important. I’m calm, I try to help people as much as possible. I like giving more than taking, but I am a bit critical of myself sometimes.” 

He credits gaming as something that has completely changed his life - meeting the likes of famous sporting stars such as Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen - who he mentions he knows very well because he is in Team Gullit’s group chat - and retired footballer Ruud Gullit himself.

“Family means a lot to me. They watch everything I do. My dad doesn’t miss a single game,” explains Levi, “He is my biggest fan. He tries to give his opinions sometimes, he has been watching for two and a half years. FIFA is a game of nerves, I was 16 last year, he is someone who calms me in those situations. My biggest dream overall is that my friends and family are happy.”

Levi also refuses to rule out a move to coaching at some point. “At the moment, I’m just focused on playing FIFA. Getting everything out of it for the years I can play it. Afterwards, we will see what comes next.”

Oliver Roberts’ story & overcoming mental struggles

Over in Denmark, a youngster has been taking the nation by storm: Oliver Roberts. He signed for Team Gullit in October 2020, and had a fantastic season last year - finishing in the top eight in the FIFAe Club World Cup 2021 Europe, claiming a bronze medal in the EU Qualifier 5, and capped off by a top 12 finish in the EU PS4 Playoffs. 

“My goal is to keep continuing on from last season, I think I did very well. Qualify for the playoffs again, and then hopefully the FIFAe World Cup.”

Roberts comes across as a very focused young talent - he has his goals outlined for the season already but he is very honest about the mental side of the game. “I know what my aims are. I always want to win. I hate losing a lot, every game I go into, I know this has to be a win.”

“I could definitely improve [in the mental side], I think to be honest, it’s probably my weakest point. I’m really good with the controller, but the mental side is very important. I’ve been through ups and downs, I know what kind of mental state you have to have, and it’s very difficult, but very important for the FIFA scene for sure.”

Oliver is grateful for FIFA as it has given him a lot over the years. “I’m doing something I love, I really enjoy it. I’m from a small town in Denmark - I have lived here my whole life, it’s very peaceful. I have experienced a lot, but I could have travelled to a few events with FIFA esports, and I have gone to the Netherlands with Team Gullit.”

Much like Levi, his family means everything to him. “They’ve been a big part of this whole FIFA thing for me. They’ve been really supportive of FIFA, they said to me ‘if you want to pursue this, if this is your dream, do it’. They haven’t really been sceptical at all, but ever since the start a couple years back, they’ve supported me since day one. I want to make my family happy.”

“I was close to giving up a few times with FIFA, because it’s very hard sometimes. I always keep going and think that I can improve, for sure. This summer, I wasn’t there mentally. I was struggling outside of FIFA. It took me a while to get over my Playoff losses. 

My whole life, I always feel like I’m not really good enough. I was feeling bad before the tournament, so it wasn’t very good timing. I was playing well, but my head was not good at that point. The fact I could perform with my head being so down, I was proud of my performance. I have my family, my coaches, and a guy called Jonas who helps me [during these tough times], I have a lot of support.”

Oliver explains that he just wants to keep supporting his family and being happy. He strikes everyone as a very down-to-earth, humble young man. 

“At the moment, I don’t really know about the future. I’m living in the moment. My dream is to keep being somehow in the scene, even as a coach. We will see where it brings me in the end.”

‘Creating stars of the future.’ - That’s what Team Gullit’s ideology has moulded itself into. Although they have described themselves as ‘the world’s first independent FIFA esports academy’, they have proven themselves to be a complete success at the top level of FIFAe. With Levi & Oliver Roberts representing the club crest, this pattern looks all but set to continue into the upcoming season.