Representing the Socceroos at the inaugural FIFA eNations Cup, finishing second in Australia’s E-League with club Melbourne City and making a return to the FIFA eWorld Cup, 2019 has been another memorable year on the EA SPORTS FIFA circuit for Marcus Gomes.

The Xbox player has racked up a hefty number of miles this year travelling from Down Under to tournaments around the world, ending the season at destinations like Hamburg for the Global Series Playoffs and London for the Grand Final.

Despite the frequent extensive travel, the 22-year-old continues to relish his journey of being a competitive FIFA player.

"When I first started playing, I would never ever have thought I’d be at a World Cup because of FIFA, travel the world because of FIFA or even earn money because of FIFA," he said. "It’s a crazy, crazy journey I’ve been on. I still have to pinch myself every once in a while, just to make sure it’s real because it really feels like a dream."

The dream would not have been possible for Gomes if it was not for his parents. His mother and father escaped conflict in their native Timor-Leste, a country in Maritime Southeast Asia north of Australia, and built a new life Down Under where Gomes and his two brothers grew up.

"My biggest inspiration in life is my parents," said Gomes. "They’re from East Timor, just above Australia, and fled because of a war. That really changed my life and I’m always grateful for growing up in Australia because things could have been so much different.

"One of the reasons why I’m so keen to improve at this game and be the best is to try and repay the faith they’ve shown in me by letting me do this eSports journey."

Marcus is not the only Gomes sibling currently on an eSports odyssey, however. His teenage brother Dillon is one of Australia’s brightest competitive FIFA prospects and currently on the periphery of reaching major tournaments.

"I honestly think he’s better than me or just as good," Marcus said of his younger brother. "We play a lot and he often beats me. I think his time is coming eventually, just like a lot of young players playing FIFA."

Will we see the Gomes brothers on the world stage together on FIFA 20? "Seeing both of us at an event, especially the World Cup, would be a dream," Marcus said. "We got close a couple of times. He lost two finals this year in qualifiers.

"A couple of years ago I would never have thought it possible that my brother and I could travel to another country to play FIFA together."