- The two Parisian clubs are joining forces in the EA SPORTS FC scene starting in the 2025-2026 season, paving the way for a long-term collaboration.
- The PSG.Vitality team will be made up of young French talents Ilian Bouchi and Brice Masson, who both represented Team Vitality last season. They will be joined by Johann “Maniika” Simon, a former Paris Saint-Germain Esports star, who has renewed his contract as the team's manager and coach.
- Paris Saint-Germain Esports and Team Vitality are setting their sights high for the new season. Their goal is to compete at the highest level in all EA FC professional circuit tournaments, starting with the FC Pro Open, which kicks off on September 22nd.
When the best of esports meets the best of football, a historic collaboration is formed. For the next two seasons, Team Vitality and Paris Saint-Germain Esports are proud to announce a unique, long-term collaboration centred around EA SPORTS FC, beginning with the 2025-2026 season.
Active in the competitive gaming scene since 2016, Paris Saint-Germain was the first football club to take a strategic and forward-thinking approach to esports. By joining forces with Team Vitality, Paris Saint-Germain is taking another significant step forward. United by a shared ambition for performance and a strong focus on international expansion, the two clubs also share strong ties to the city of Paris. This alliance marks a major milestone in what has already been a historic year for both organisations.
Together, Team Vitality and Paris Saint-Germain aim for excellence, constantly pushing the boundaries of their respective fields, and representing premium brands on the world stage… Paris has never been so magical!
A COMPETITIVE ROSTER AND BOLD NEW AMBITIONS
The PSG.Vitality team is delighted to announce the contract extensions of rising French talents Ilian Bouchi and Brice Masson for another season. This year, the duo will have the honour of competing in the iconic Paris Saint-Germain esports jersey. They will once again be joined by head coach Johann ‘ManiiKa’ Simon, who will support them throughout this ambitious new season.
PSG.Vitality is a team built for performance:
- Ilian Bouchi (20 years old): Entering his third consecutive season with Team Vitality, Ilian is cementing his status as an EA FC prodigy. Renowned for his explosive playstyle and mechanical skills, he was named Rookie of the Year at the eLigue 1 Awards 2024 and MVP of the eLigue 1 in 2025.
- Brice Masson (21 years old): Known for his competitive mindset, Brice stands out for his strategic mastery and playstyle that perfectly complements Ilian's. Together, the duo reached the finals of the eLigue 1 McDonald's 2025. As an individual, Brice was runner-up at the Esports World Cup.
- Johann ‘ManiiKa’ Simon (32 years old): A former iconic player in the EA FC scene and for Paris Saint-Germain Esports, where he competed for four seasons, Johann won both the eLigue 1 and DreamHack in 2017. He now brings his valuable expertise to the team as manager and coach. With his combined experience as both a player and a coach, he is well-equipped to guide Ilian and Brice to the top of the competition.
ON THE ROAD TO THE TITLE, READY FOR COMPETITION
After several months of working together, the players have been fine-tuning their gameplay mechanics. They are approaching the new season with unwavering motivation and a clear ambition: to claim the prestigious eLigue 1 title in 2026. They are also aiming for a Top 8 finish in all major international competitions.
A force to be reckoned with on the French stage, the players are once again establishing themselves as serious contenders, showing great promise for the entire competition. Their first test will be at none other than the FC Pro Open, starting in September, which will be a unique opportunity to demonstrate their strength right at the beginning of the competitive calendar.
To achieve this, the team will benefit from an optimal training environment at the PSG Studio: an esports hub where players can switch between home training sessions and intensive bootcamps, in preparation for the biggest upcoming competitions. Additionally, the players will receive support from Paris Saint-Germain experts to optimise key aspects of the team’s performance.
"This alliance between two Parisian clubs of international stature was a natural choice. Driven by the same commitment to excellence and a deep connection to the city of Paris, we are joining forces at a pivotal moment in our sporting journeys. Beyond our shared roots, we are united by a common vision: to showcase Paris on the world stage, in both sports and esports, and to build lasting bridges between our two worlds. I am confident that this collaboration will mark a new chapter in our international development. Many thanks to the PSG teams for their trust and commitment," said Fabien Devide, President and co-founder of Team Vitality.
"This collaboration marks a new stage in Paris Saint-Germain's pursuit of excellence. By joining forces with the most successful EA FC organisation in French esports, we are combining our strengths to build an ambitious and sustainable project. Excellence and innovation, the two pillars of the club's DNA, are fully embodied in this collaboration. We aim to create a modern and inspiring model, while providing a structured framework to develop the next generation of talent. Each entity brings unique and complementary expertise, and I am confident that this synergy will lead the project to lasting success," said Nadia Benmokhtar, Diversification & Merchandising Director.
TWO CLUBS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE AND THE FUTURE
Both clubs are at a pivotal and historic point in their growth. Paris Saint-Germain had an exceptional 2024-2025 season, marked by Champions League and UEFA Super Cup victories.
Meanwhile, Team Vitality continues to dominate the global esports scene, winning numerous prestigious titles. In EA FC 25, the Bees also delivered strong performances, including a second-place finish in eLigue 1, a Top 8 finish in the eChampions League, and a runner-up title at the Esports World Cup. Together, the two Parisian clubs are joining forces to continue this winning momentum on the virtual pitch.
The two Parisian teams share core values of excellence and innovation. Together, they pursue a long-term vision to strengthen their respective brands. The goal is not only to train the best players in their category, but also to develop future champions through their French talent incubator programmes. Through its collaboration with Team Vitality, Paris Saint-Germain reaffirms its ambition to embody the club of a new generation: connected, innovative and at the forefront of emerging sports and digital cultures.
As part of this collaboration, new joint projects co-branded as Paris Saint-Germain Esports x Team Vitality are expected to launch, including merchandise, activations, and new esports initiatives.
