Wales and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has launched an esports team – the second leisure venture the footballer has set up in the past 12 months.

Called Ellevens Esports, the team is co-owned by Bale and 38 Entertainment Group – a company founded by entrepreneurs Jonathan Kark and Larry Cohen.

The organisation will mark its debut by entering a team at the FIFA eClub World Cup 2020 in Milan.

“My interest in eSports started about two years ago watching Ninja stream Fortnite and I naturally progressed to watching FIFA and the FIFA Global Series,” Bale said.

“The competitive side was fascinating, so I decided I wanted to provide an opportunity for gamers who take eSports seriously and want to play for a professional organisation at the highest level.

“I am fortunate enough to have been a professional footballer from a young age playing at some of the world’s best clubs and I feel there are lots of similarities between real-life sport and eSports. I want to provide the best professional environment for gamers around the world and build an eSports legacy.”

In March 2019, Bale became a joint partner and investor in rowing-driven fitness concept Rowbots.

He joined CEO Sam Green and fellow investors Greg Zimmerman and Joshua Barnett in the Rowbots top team to set up a 1,800sq ft boutique studio in central London, providing a space for 11 rowing machines and floor work with a capacity of 22 people per class.