Argentine Rapper Duki Becomes Shareholder in 9z Globant

Argentine rapper Mauro Ezequiel Lombardo, known as Duki, has joined South American esports organization 9z Globant as a shareholder and partner, the team announced on social media. The organization did not disclose Duki’s ownership percentage, the size of his investment or the legal structure of the partnership.

9z posted that the collaboration is “an encounter between two worlds that always spoke the same language” and described the start of a new chapter called the “9 Era.” At the time of publication, no public filings or documents provide financial terms or exact stake details.

Duki’s relationship with 9z began before the formal partnership. The organization has called him “our biggest fan.” He publicly supported the team during 2022, when 9z became the first Argentine team to qualify for the PGL Major Antwerp in Counter-Strike. Duki celebrated the qualification on social media, joined Twitch watch parties during the IEM Rio Major 2022, reacted to matches, discussed plays and translated player interviews for viewers. He has regularly worn and promoted 9z merchandise to his followers.

Other celebrities and athletes have taken ownership stakes in esports organizations. In 2018, rapper Drake became a co-owner of 100 Thieves. Former footballer Sergio Agüero brought Lionel Messi on as a co-owner of KRÜ Esports. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois partnered with the Federation of Sport to open a £1.6 million gaming and sports center in Hull, England.

9z Globant was recently selected for the Esports World Cup Foundation’s 2026 Club Partner Program alongside teams including Team Liquid, Fnatic, T1 and Team Vitality. Neither Duki nor representatives from 9z have provided further financial or contractual details; the social media announcement and the organization’s prior references to Duki’s support remain the primary public record of the partnership.