Founded within the popular Gerard Piqué-backed seven-a-side league, the club has actively expanded its footprint into youth academies and cross-platform esports tournaments.
From Youth Goalkeeper to Digital Club Owner
For Cremades, who played competitive soccer as a goalkeeper during his youth until shifting his focus to digital media and streaming at age 24, the creation of Los Troncos rekindled his competitive involvement in the sport.
“They proposed that I have a team and it was like a little kid, excited to be, let’s say, the owner of a team,” Cremades recalled of the club’s inception.
Expanding Into Academies and Phygital Competition
Rather than limiting the team’s scope to the Kings League ecosystem, ownership launched a seven-a-side soccer academy in Valencia and ventured into hybrid digital-physical competitions. Los Troncos participated in the Games of the Future, an international event series that combines traditional pitch play with video game simulations under a unified global scoreboard.
The hybrid format—often referred to as phygital sports—requires organizations to field competitors across both physical matches and virtual titles such as UFL.
Bridging the Gap Between Controllers and Cleats
Preparation for the dual-format events extends beyond dedicated esports athletes.
“In this game, there is a little bit less of a difference than in FIFA,” said Carles Planas, captain of Los Troncos and a former professional soccer player, noting that the hybrid setup bridges the gap between controller specialists and field athletes.
The Demand for Long-Term Stability
However, Planas pointed out that scheduling complexities and short tournament windows remain hurdles for traditional professionals seeking stable commitments.
“The player needs stability,” Planas said regarding the structure of phygital competitions. “If there were a long-term competition, perhaps more people would be encouraged. It doesn’t have to be an intense week; it could last two or three months and end with a final phase.”
Future Outlook for Multi-Format Operations
Cremades shares the perspective that hybrid athletic formats require more robust scheduling, prolonged qualification periods, and multi-month calendars to achieve long-term viability.
Los Troncos are scheduled to continue their multi-format operations across upcoming league fixtures and developmental showcases, with further organizational updates expected through the club’s official channels.
Worth a look
