FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer covers over the years: Who did it better?

By Sherry Philips

Modified Dec 09, 2016 08:01 GMT

Humble beginnings

The FIFA series

FIFA 1994

FIFA 1995

FIFA 95’s cover for Sega

FIFA 1996

Number 1 best-selling sports game for a long time

FIFA 1997

The game’s technology drastically improved with the ‘97 version

FIFA 1998

David Beckham featured on the English version of the game

FIFA 1999

Dennis Bergkamp made an appearance on the ‘99 version

FIFA 2000

Not everyone expected Sol Campbell to feature

The FIFA series alongside the PES series

2001

Pro Evolution Soccer introduces itself into the gaming world

2002

FIFA always had the image rights

2003

Edgar Davids or world famous referee. You decide.

2004

Seriously, why are we adding a referee to the cover?

2005

Aesthetically very comparable

2006

It’s clear who got the better set of players

2007

The Ronaldinho-Rooney domination begins

2008

Ronaldo enters the gaming world

2009

PES shifted their interests from Ronaldo to Messi

2010

Torres’s performances did warrant a sponsorship deal. Ronaldinho leaves as well

2011

Kaka was deemed highly marketable, while Messi continued his relationship with Konami

2012

Wilshere was a surprise as Ronaldo began his domination in the PES series

2013

EA decided to pick up Messi, while Ronaldo stuck with PES

2014

Messi became the face of FIFA, while Konami made Bayern the focal point

2015

Hazard was voted onto the FIFA cover, and World Cup winner Gotze featured for PES

2016

Henderson on the FIFA cover, while rising star Neymar made it for PES

2017

Marco Reus was voted onto the latest edition, while the Barcelona side featured on PES