Olivier Giroud and Dota 2: What do the football legend and eSports have in common?

Olivier Giroud is a legend of world football. The French striker, known for his outstanding technique and charisma, has won the love of millions of fans around the world thanks to his performance for the French national team, as well as for clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Milan. But what if we say that this famous athlete, who is used to dominating on the football pitch, could find himself in a completely different field – eSports, or more precisely, in the game Dota 2? It sounds incredible, but let’s figure out why this assumption is not so unfounded.
Esports and football: more in common than it seems
At first glance, the football field and the virtual Dota 2 map are two completely different universes. On the one hand, a physical sport, where every movement of the athlete requires maximum physical fitness, strength and endurance. On the other hand, esports, which rely more on strategic thinking, lightning-fast reactions and a deep understanding of game mechanics. However, there are amazing parallels between these disciplines. Football, like Dota 2, is a team game, where success depends on the coordination of all participants. In both cases, players occupy certain roles: a striker in football is similar to a carry in Dota 2, a defender acts as a tank, and midfielders resemble supports who help develop the game and maintain balance. And here an interesting question arises: if Giroud decided to try himself in Dota 2, what role could he play?
If we consider Olivier Giroud’s football style, it is obvious that he would be an ideal carry. A carry in Dota 2 is a player who is the ultimate success of the team. His job is to develop himself, farm resources and destroy enemies to lead the team to victory. Giroud, with his high intelligence and sense of the moment, has proven more than once that he can be the main player who decides the fate of the match. On the football field, Giroud acts with the precision of a surgeon: he has an excellent sense of the situation, knows how to choose the right position to deliver the decisive blow. In Dota 2, these skills could be used for perfect timing in fights and choosing targets. Imagine Giroud playing Phantom Assassin or Sven, who destroys enemies in seconds thanks to competent farming and precise actions.
Although the captain’s armband is not always on Giroud’s arm in football, his leadership qualities are obvious. He knows how to lead the team, inspire them in difficult moments, and always keep a cool head. In Dota 2, this skill is extremely important for the role of captain. The leader of the team is responsible for choosing the strategy, distributing roles, and adjusting actions during the game. Known for his calmness and ability to analyze the opponent’s game, Olivier could well become an excellent captain. Imagine him choosing heroes for his team at the pick-ban stage, analyzing the opponents. It is similar to how a coach creates tactics for a match, taking into account the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent.
Another important trait of Giroud is his ability to adapt to any situation. During his career, he played in various styles: from a powerful striker who wins aerial duels to a technical player who interacts well with teammates. In Dota 2, such flexibility is crucial. Players need to be able to adapt to the circumstances: change tactics when something goes wrong, or switch between aggressive and defensive playstyles. Giroux could shine in such situations. For example, if the carry game is not going according to plan, he could take on more of the team’s support, helping other players to reach their potential. This quality makes him not only a great footballer, but also a potential strong player in eSports.