Coronavirus: Real Madrid crowned FIFA 20 challenge champions thanks to Asensio

Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio won the LaLiga FIFA 20 charity challenge, helping raise funds for the fight against coronavirus.

While COVID-19 pandemic has forced sports to stop around the world, LaLiga continued to go ahead over the weekend, albeit virtually.

A single player was invited by Spanish video game streamer Ibai Llanos to represent their team in a 20-club FIFA 20 tournament.

Asensio – who has been sidelined for the entire 2019-20 season due to a serious knee injury – swapped the pitch for PlayStation.

#WearetheChampions !! @realmadrid pic.twitter.com/w75OJj4ww6

— Marco Asensio (@marcoasensio10) March 22, 2020

The 24-year-old Spain international’s time away from the football ground paid dividends after beating Leganes’ Aitor Ruibal 4-2 in Sunday’s final.

Over €140,000 was also raised, with all proceeds going to UNICEF as the world struggles to contain the coronavirus outbreak, which has claimed more than 14,500 lives.

“It has been a spectacular tournament,” Asensio wrote via Twitter. “The goal was to have a good time, laugh, entertain ourselves in these difficult times for everyone, and donate in the fight against COVID-19. And we have succeeded.

Primer título de la historia de #LaLigaSantanderChallenge para casa, @realmadrid. Gracias a todos por el gran apoyo recibido.
¡Hasta el final, vamos Real! pic.twitter.com/xJHjloUsYb

— Marco Asensio (@marcoasensio10) March 22, 2020

“Congratulations @IbaiLlanos and all who have made it possible.”