EA Sports has unveiled the group of legends who will be included for the first time in the upcoming release of FIFA 20 and its ever-popular FUT mode.
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The class of 2020 has been cut from the incredible 30 new icons who were added for the FIFA 2019 release, including Johann Cruyff, George Best and Raul, and will be added to a pool of all-time greats that will now number 84.
While there is no-one to match the excellence of Pele and Diego Maradona, whose best cards see them with ratings of 98 and 97 respectively, there are plenty of new faces that fans of the game are sure to get excited about.
Zinedine Zidane – France – FUT Icon Ratings: 91 | 96 | 94
Undoubtedly the best player of his generation, he was known for his ability to perform on the big stage. His headed double allowed France to pick up their first World Cup in 1998, while he scored one of the all-time great goals in the 2002 Champions League final. He attained legendary status with his country, but also with Juventus and Real Madrid, where he is currently head coach.
Pep Guardiola – Spain – FUT Icon Ratings: 90 | 87 | 85
For many modern football fans, Guardiola is best known as the coach who has brought a string of trophies to Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City with unceasing excellence, yet he was also an impressive player in his day. A stylish midfielder with Barca, he epitomised their philosophy of tiki-taka, which he has subsequently turned into an art form in the dugout.
Ronald Koeman – Netherlands – FUT Icon Ratings : 88 | 91 | 85
The man who secured Barcelona their first ever European Cup with a trademark free-kick against Sampdoria at Wembley, the Dutchman was actually a defender but was known for his abilities from set-pieces. He scored at least 10 goals in six consecutive seasons at Camp Nou but is perhaps best remembered in England as the man who prevented the Three Lions from reaching World Cup 1994 with a crucial goal for his country.
Michael Essien – Ghana – FUT Icon Ratings : 85 | 90 | 87
The potential that Essien showed while with Lyon was fully realised when he moved to the Premier League with Chelsea, where he would stay for nine years. Noted for his power, the Ghana star also popped up with important goal-scoring contributions as he helped the Blues to a couple of Premier League titles and a Champions League.
Gianluca Zambrotta – Italy – FUT Icon Ratings : 89 | 86 | 87
Undoubtedly the highlight of the career of Zambrotta was his outstanding performances at the 2006 World Cup, where he was a member of the Italy defence that conceded only twice as they stormed to the title. The versatile defensive player won a couple of Serie A titles with Juventus, while he had spells at Barcelona and AC Milan, where he picked up another Scudetto.
Kenny Dalglish – Scotland – FUT Icon Ratings: 87 | 92 | 90
An icon with Liverpool, Celtic and Scotland, 'King Kenny' is considered one of the greatest players ever for the three teams he turned out for. It was at Anfield that he hit his peak, the driving force behind the Reds as they dominated both English and European football. A three-time European Cup winner and the record caps holder for his nation with 102.
John Barnes – England – FUT Icon Ratings: 89 | 87 | 86
Although Barnes’ career never hit the heights that it might have managed due to injury, the Englishman is still recognised as one of the great players of his time. He possessed great trickery, which was evident after his turn of speed was affected by his physical problems. A legend at both Watford and Liverpool.
Ian Wright – England – FUT Icon Ratings: 85 | 89 | 87
Before Thierry Henry, Arsenal’s record goal scorer was Ian Wright. He was a simply brilliant predator, who helped the club to both domestic success and silverware in Europe as the Gunners picked up the Cup Winners’ Cup. In 288 appearances for the Highbury side, he scored 185 times, despite arriving in the professional game as a latecomer.
Ian Rush – Wales – FUT Icon Ratings : 87 | 91 | 89
One of the legendary figures of Liverpool’s dominant side of the 1980s, he was a prolific marksman, winning the European Golden Boot thanks to his exploits in the 1983-84 campaign. He won a string of trophies at Anfield, including a European Cup, five league titles and three FA Cups. Had a brief stint with Juventus before returning to the Reds but did not quite enjoy the same success a second time around.
Hugo Sanchez – Mexico – FUT Icon Ratings : 89 | 92 | 87
In a seven-year stint with Real Madrid from 1985-1992, he became one of the club’s greatest ever scorers. He netted 208 times in 282 appearances for Los Blancos – a rate that the likes of only Cristiano Ronaldo, Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas can better. Started his career with UNAM before his move to Spain and finished it with Club America.
Garrincha – Brazil – FUT Icon Ratings : 94 | 90 | 92
Regarded by Pele, no less, as one of the greatest players of all-time, Garrincha perfectly embodies the free-flowing Brazilian spirit. He played a critical role as the Selecao won their first World Cups in 1958 and 1962, and Brazil never lost a match in which he and ‘O Rei’ played. He is remembered for his sensational dribbling ability. Unfortunately, his career was dogged by mental health problems, preventing him from reaching an even greater level.
Didier Drogba – Ivory Coast – FUT Icon Ratings : 87 | 91 | 89
One of the greatest African players of all time, it took Drogba time to make his breakthrough on the biggest stage with Marseille, having previously turned out for Le Mans and Guingamp. From there, though, his career only accelerated with a move to Chelsea, where his bustling style made him a player beloved at Stamford Bridge. Fittingly scored the penalty that secured the club’s maiden Champions League title.
Carlos Alberto Torres – Brazil – FUT Icon Ratings : 90 | 93 | 87
Another Brazil star to encapsulate ‘o jogo bonito’, Carlos Alberto was ostensibly a defender but was a player who loved to get forward. Indeed, he set the framework for the modern full-back, which is best typified by his incredible goal in the 1970 World Cup final, when he completed a brilliant team move that is rightfully remembered as one of the greatest of all time.
Andrea Pirlo – Italy – FUT Icon Ratings : 90 | 92 | 88
No Pirlo, no party? That’s certainly going to be the case with FIFA 20 as the elegant playmaker graduates to Icon status for the first time. The deep-lying midfielder is known for his incredible range of passing, his exemplary technique and his ability to deliver a Panenka penalty under the most intense of pressure. In an era dominated by pace and power, Pirlo reminded fans that football could be an artform too.
