eligella

When you think about German Twitch streamers dominating the platform, one name consistently rises to the top of the charts. Elias Nerlich, better known as EliasN97, has built an empire around FIFA content that's turned him into the number one German-language streamer on Twitch. At just 27 years old, this Berlin native has transformed what started as a backup plan into a streaming phenomenon that regularly pulls in tens of thousands of viewers.

Nerlich's path to streaming stardom wasn't exactly conventional. Originally, he had his sights set on professional soccer, but an injury derailed those dreams and forced him to pivot. It wasn't until 2016, when he discovered FIFA 2017, that gaming became more than just a hobby. That single game sparked something in him—within a year, he'd qualified as one of 128 players for the prestigious FUT Champions Cup in Barcelona and signed with the esports team Hertha BSC. The transition from aspiring footballer to competitive gamer happened remarkably fast.

His content creation journey began in 2017 with a YouTube channel called "Eligella," though he didn't upload his first video until 2019. The real breakthrough came when he launched his main channel "EliasN97" in 2018, focusing on FIFA gameplay, reactions, and highlights. What sets him apart isn't just his gaming skills—it's his ability to create genuine connections with viewers. His streams feel more like hanging out with friends than watching a performance, which explains why he can maintain an average of 36,000 viewers per stream and has peaked at over 90,000.

The numbers tell an impressive story: 2.2 million Twitch followers, over 32,000 subscribers, and he streams roughly 7 hours daily. But Nerlich made headlines for more than just consistent content—he actually broke Twitch's hype train record, surpassing even major streamers like Kai Cenat. His community engagement is so strong that he generates nearly 10 million live views monthly, cementing his position as not just Germany's top streamer, but ranking 11th globally across all languages.

Beyond streaming, Nerlich has leveraged his platform into serious business ventures. He's co-founder of The Icon League and Delay Sports Berlin, blending his football background with entertainment in innovative ways. He also runs Elevate Clothing Berlin, a lifestyle brand that's become popular among his fanbase. After leaving Hertha BSC in 2021, he joined Fokus Clan as a managing partner, showing he's thinking strategically about his career beyond just content creation. What makes him particularly interesting is how he's maintained authenticity while scaling up—his streams still have that personal touch that made him popular in the first place, even as he's built multiple companies and broken platform records.