E3 2016 is just a couple weeks around the corner, and with it comes the EA Play event, which is expected to reveal a glimpse of FIFA 17 for the first time. EA has been talking a big game with some vague promises guaranteed to improve gameplay in three key areas. Interesting enough, however, is not FIFA 17’s features that are intriguing fans, but rather the game’s cover stars.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has graced the cover of FIFA for the past four years, but his contract is set to expire with no new deal in place. The most obvious candidates to replace him are Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Messi’s teammate at Barcelona, Neymar. Unfortunately, those deals aren’t possible due to the pair being locked into contracts with EA’s rivals, Konami, the producer of Pro Evolution Soccer.
This means the coveted FIFA 17 cover is up for grabs, and despite the absence of the world’s arguable top three players, there are plenty of other talented choices remaining. Gearnuke has posted what appears to be a legitimate image of FIFA 17’s cover contenders. Take a look and decide for yourself if the photo looks real:
Any soccer fan can tell you the above players are exceptional footballers. Whether or not they’re worthy of the FIFA 17 cover remains a matter a personal preference. For those uninitiated, the potential cover stars featured above include James Rodriguez from Real Madrid, Eden Hazard from Chelsea, Anthony Martial from Manchester United and Marco Reus from Borussia Dortmund.
Hopefully we’ll find out if these batch of covers are real in a few short weeks. The EA Play event gets underway June 12, just ahead of E3, which begins on the 14th.
FIFA 17 is expected to release in September for PS4, Xbox One and PC.
