The intense digital football season reached a crescendo recently as the open selective tournaments for partner clubs of the eFootball Championship concluded. Among the triumphant players securing a coveted spot at the global grand final is Brazilian standout Cláudio “Henrykinho” Mesquita, who will carry the banner for Italian giants Inter Milan.
Henrykinho`s victory in the Inter Milan qualifier, which wrapped up on Friday, June 16th, marked the conclusion of the club-specific pathway to the world stage. His success sealed his direct qualification for the prestigious offline world final set to take place in Tokyo, Japan, this July. For the 24-year-old player from Minas Gerais, this represents a significant step towards achieving his ultimate ambition in the competitive eFootball landscape.
A familiar and respected name within the Brazilian eFootball community, Henrykinho boasts an impressive resume built over years of dedicated competition. His accolades include multiple national titles, such as three eBrasileirão championships, one eGol Pro title, and the overall Brazilian championship in 2017. On the international stage, he secured a silver medal at the inaugural Pan American Esports Games in 2023, further demonstrating his prowess. Despite a career already decorated with numerous domestic and regional accolades, including a MEG Latam title in 2023, the world championship remains the pinnacle he is yet to conquer.
His path to representing Inter Milan involved navigating a challenging digital bracket filled with skilled opponents from around the globe. The journey culminated in a tightly contested 2-1 victory over 18-year-old Turkish competitor Arda Yildiz in the final match of the selective. This hard-fought win not only earned him the honor of representing one of football`s most historic clubs but also granted him a direct passage to the World Final, bypassing the need to participate in the upcoming regional online finals which serve as another qualification route.
Speaking on his preparation and mindset leading up to the qualifiers, Henrykinho revealed an interesting intuition regarding the club tournaments. He felt a stronger affinity and comfort level when playing with Inter Milan`s digital squad and style compared to other clubs, a feeling that seemingly translated directly into his performance. He readily acknowledges the exceptionally high level of competition anticipated at this year`s world final, noting that the pool of qualified players through various club and open routes is already stacked with well-known and highly skilled competitors.
Henrykinho also expressed his profound enthusiasm for returning to an offline world tournament hosted by Konami. He highlighted the unique atmosphere, heightened pressure, and distinct challenges that such events bring compared to online play. “I love this,” he remarked, underlining his commitment to rigorous training aimed at finally lifting the world title – a dream he has pursued with unwavering dedication since he began his competitive journey in eFootball.
The eFootball Championship circuit encompasses both console and mobile divisions. Partner clubs like Inter Milan, alongside esteemed counterparts such as Barcelona, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, and Arsenal, each host their own in-game campaigns to identify top talent. From these club selectives, one console player and one mobile player are chosen to represent the respective team at the World Final. While Henrykinho will compete on console for Inter, Brazil will also have other players vying for glory in Tokyo, including Juninho_PES, who qualified for Barcelona on mobile, and numerous players advancing through the rigorous Americas Block open qualifiers leading up to the regional finals set for May 24th.
As the eFootball world gears up for the climactic battles set to unfold in Tokyo this July, all eyes will be on seasoned veterans like Henrykinho. He brings a wealth of experience, a proven track record of success on multiple levels, and an unwavering determination to claim the sport`s most prestigious prize. His journey, from dominating the Brazilian scene to earning the right to represent a global football icon on the digital pitch, exemplifies the dedication required to reach and compete at the absolute pinnacle of esports competition.
