Source: Nexon

According to industry sources on the 10th, as the World Cup enters the quarterfinals, the intense race for the Golden Boot is being clearly reflected in the performance of world-class strikers within Nexon's FC Online.

As players who stand out in real-world matches see their stats and value increase in the game's PTG class, users are finding themselves immersed in the excitement of watching their squads and the transfer market fluctuate based on tournament results.

This tournament is unfolding more fiercely than ever due to the scoring race among top-tier strikers. As of the 8th, Lionel Messi leads the pack with 8 goals, closely followed by Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland with 7 goals each. Harry Kane, with 6 goals, and Ousmane Dembélé, with 4, have further complicated the Golden Boot race as their teams advance to the quarterfinals.

The significance of these records is also remarkable. Kane has become England's all-time top scorer, Haaland has set the record for the most World Cup goals in Norwegian history, and Messi continues to extend his record for the most goals in men's World Cup history. As these global stars continue their scoring streaks, they are adding to the excitement for both football fans and FC Online users.

As the tournament reaches the quarterfinals, the excitement surrounding the PTG class is peaking. Since a player's value increases incrementally with each round, those who survive the grueling matches carry even greater weight. In particular, player cards that have made it to the quarterfinals, like the protagonists at the center of the scoring race, are seeing their value skyrocket in the transfer market, making user squads more dynamic than ever.

The way real-world matches and the game are intertwined also adds to the fun. Users watch as the fate of their squad players shifts with the outcome of each match, strategizing whether to hold onto their cards or sell them on the transfer market at their peak. This blend of cheering and tactical decision-making creates a unique way for FC Online users to enjoy the tournament stage.

The excitement is extending beyond the game into original content as well. Nexon has launched an original variety show, '2026 PTG: To Sell or Not to Sell,' which expands the tournament's energy outside the game. It is a unique piece of content that adds entertainment value to information delivery by adopting the format of an investment briefing that compares the market prices of in-game player cards to stocks.

The first episode was released on June 28, followed by the second on July 4. This season features a competition between two virtual investment firms: 'Football Securities' and 'Long-Candle Securities.' Each team presents an ETF-style recommended portfolio of six players, adding to the fun of debating which players to acquire.

The format itself is infused with the joy of playing FC Online. Between presentations, the teams engage in real-time Q&A with viewers to highlight players to watch, offering a fresh perspective on real-world athletes through the lens of the game. The immersion of watching matches and playing the game is naturally extending into this content.