Past cover stars ofFIFAgames have always exemplified what the game stood for, whether it was newer additions like Mbappe or more iconic stars like Kaka or Ronaldo. Each cover star is often selected because of their contributions to the sport over the year, whether by winning games and fans or by simply being the greatest of a particular era. With EA Sports getting set to announce more news about the upcomingEA Sports FCin July, many are beginning to speculate who the cover star of the firstEA Sportssoccer game outside the partnership with FIFA will be.
The cover star of any sports game is an important decision to make as, more often than not, it brings either a lot of criticism or praise. For example, when Eden Hazard was selected asthe cover star forFIFA 20, many were left scratching their heads since the Belgium player has not had a great start to his career at Real Madrid. While this type of criticism does not often mean that the game itself is bad, picking the right cover star is more than just picking a popular player. The changes implemented in a new game should be synonymous with the athlete that is being featured on the cover, soEA Sports FCneed to seriously consider the decision of picking the first cover star for the franchise.
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Returning EA Sports Cover Star
The most logical route forEA Sports FCto take would be to pick one of two pastFIFAcover stars, namely either Mbappe or Messi, with the latter being the clear favorite. Following his triumph at the World Cup, and cementing himself as one of the greatest players of all time, Lionel Messi is the prime candidate for any soccer game that will be released within the next few years. As a player, he exemplifies all the things that make the game so enjoyable for billions around the world: skill, flair, determination, and a desire to excel, all things thatEA Sports FCwould love to be associated with.
However, with the world still witnessing the rise of Kylian Mbappe, who not only won the 2018 World Cup but also led France to the most recent World Cup final, there is a strong case for him being the cover star once more. Mbappe personifies the next generation of talent and his lightning pace and flair are what made him cover star material for the past threeFIFAreleases, and will likely retain that title. While it would be great to see Messi getting acknowledged for his World Cup win, especially since he likely does not have long left in the game, Mbappe is the clear favorite to become the first cover star ofEA Sports FC.
Fresh Look For EA Sports FC
EA Sports FCwill mark the beginning of a new era in the soccer video gaming world with it being the first title to be published by EA Sports without the FIFA name. As a result, EA Sports may attempt to try and stay away from the traditional cover star route instead, going with either a completely new star or foregoing a cover star completely. Picking the latter may see theEA Sports FCimage released upon its reveal on the cover of the game, or even an emphasis ontriangles, the shape of the newEA Sports FClogo.
However, ifEA Sports FCwill feature a cover star, and will be going down the route of picking an all-new cover star, there are many candidates that could be considered. To stand apart from futureFIFAtitles,EA Sports FCmay feature a manager, the likes of Pep Guardiola or Carlo Ancelotti have made names for themselves as players, but received legendary status as managers. If EA Sports elects to pick a player, Jude Bellingham or Erling Haaland are prime candidates. Both are exceptional young talents with bright futures, something thatEA Sports FCmay want to exemplify.
The cover star for any sports game is always a big deal, for the player and the game itself, as it not only attracts a lot of fans but also highlights certain aspects of the game. With the likes of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Pep Guardiola to pick from,EA Sports FCis not short on potential cover stars that could display what the game is all about. Whatever avenue EA picks to go down, the cover star forEA Sports FCwill go down in history as the first star following the EA Sports-FIFA split, and will likely serve as a role model forthe future of theEA Sports FCfranchise.
