Team Vitality Signs Rising French Tekken 8 Star Neia

One of the biggest stories from the weekend came courtesy of Team Vitality, who officially announced the signing of French Tekken 8 standout, Neia.

Neia is widely regarded as one of France’s strongest rising Tekken 8 players, and her ascent has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite only entering the offline competitive scene in 2025, she quickly made her presence felt, competing in her first-ever offline tournament before going on to post several impressive results.

Among those was a top 24 finish at Evo France, a standout achievement given that it marked her first appearance at a major event of that scale. The performance immediately put her on the radar of fans and organizations alike.

She previously spent a brief period with BMS Esports, but has now made the move to Team Vitality, one of Europe’s most established and well-resourced esports organizations. The signing signals Vitality’s continued investment in the fighting game community, particularly in nurturing young talent rather than relying solely on proven veterans.

Neia is already a name that draws significant attention, and for several reasons. At just 16 years old, she is competing against some of the most experienced players in the world, many of whom have been active in the scene for over a decade. Her composure and results at such an early stage of her career have made her one of the most talked-about prospects in European Tekken.

Beyond her in-game accomplishments, Neia’s visibility also carries broader significance. As a young woman of color competing at the highest levels, her rise represents a meaningful moment for representation within the FGC. Her success has the potential to inspire more young women and marginalized players to pursue competitive fighting games, especially in a scene that has historically struggled with diversity.

Looking ahead to 2026, Neia will have no shortage of opportunities to prove herself, with a packed calendar of Tekken World Tour events and international majors on the horizon. Given her age and rapid rate of improvement, the ceiling for her growth appears exceptionally high.

If her trajectory continues, Neia may not just be a promising rookie for long, but a serious threat on the global Tekken stage.