Fifa 2021: Kylian Mbappe is the new cover star
- Published
Mbappe said it is a "dream come true" to be the new cover star. EA Sports proclaimed the 21-year-old World Cup winner "the leader of the next generation".
New Real Madrid signing Eden Hazard was the cover star for Fifa 20. though he had to share the limelight...
...with Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk, who featured on the 'Champions Edition' of the game. You could even get an 'Ultimate edition' with Real's manager Zinedine Zidane on.
Way back in 1993 the first ever cover stars were England's David Platt and Piotr Swierczewski of Poland. In some parts of the world though, the cover featured Irish goalkeeper Packie Bonner and Dutch legend (and future Chelsea star) Ruud Gullit.
Between 2006 and 2012, Wayne Rooney featured on every single cover of Fifa. He holds the record for the most appearances.
In 2003 EA settled on one cover rather than regional favourites (although it still featured a US player in North America). At the time Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Edgar Davids (Juventus) and Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid) were some of the best players in the world, and got to look really stern on the cover of that year's game.
Recognise this legend? Yeah, that's right it's David Beckham on the UK cover of the Fifa Road to World Cup 98 game. In that tournament, Beckham was famously sent-off for kicking out at Argentina midfielder, Diego Simeone.
Fifa 10 went Rooney-tastic. In the UK he was joined by Arsenal's Theo Walcott and Chelsea's Frank Lampard, but in he also featured on the cover in Germany, Poland and Australia alongside players from those countries.
It wasn't until Fifa 2000 that a black player was on the cover. At the time, Tottenham captain Sol Campbell (pictured) was one of the best defenders in the world. Just a year later, he moved to Spurs' arch rivals, Arsenal for free.
Lionel Messi starred on 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016... which probably meant the game wasn't too popular in Cristiano Ronaldo's house. Those years also saw regional favourites get starring roles, with people like Joe Hart and Gareth Bale also featuring on the UK copies. If you're wondering where Messi has gone from Fifa's cover, in 2020 he was the cover star of the game's big rival Pro Evolution Soccer. Great news for Fifa fans in the Ronaldo household.
- Published11 October 2020
- Published14 April 2020
