With fans and critics beginning toturn against EAwith each passing iteration in theFIFAfranchise, it appears that the Redwood City, California-based developer has one more trick up its sleeve forFIFA 21. A recent leak appears to confirm that one of the game’s greatest players will make his appearance as an Icon in the Ultimate Team mode.
User ponnyslakteriet on the EA Sports FIFA Forums suggests that David Beckham will be added toFIFA 21Ultimate Team as an Icon. The English midfielder will allegedly have a 92 overall rating on his Prime card, complete with the buzz cut he wore during the early 2000s.
RELATED:FIFA 21: The 10 Best Player Cards In Ultimate Team, Ranked
The assets were found by dataminers in the recent Title Update 5, alongside current players such as Liverpool’s Sadio Mané and Tottenham’s Harry Kane. Interestingly enough, face scans for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, NBA players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid, and most bizarrelypop star Dua Lipawere found in the update, as well. It is expected that these non-footballers will be added toFIFA 21’s Volta mode, which will see them compete against professionals in futsal.
While Beckham’s exact stats are not known just yet, it is expected that EA will rate his Passing stats extremely highly, especially Crossing and Free Kicks. The 45-year-old former professional player was not included in previousFIFAgames due to his appearances in their main competitor,Pro Evolution Soccer, which is developed by Konami.
Despite the many controversies surrounding its use of microtransactions, Ultimate Team remains the most popular ofFIFA 21’s modes. There are currently attempts in various European countries — particularly the Netherlands — to legislate loot boxes in the game mode.The Dutch government fined EA €5 millionover Ultimate Team Packs violating the country’s gambling laws.
Ever since retiring in 2013 after at 21-year career that saw him play for Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and LA Galaxy, David Beckham has been highly active in retirement. The midfielder — who earned 115 caps for the English national team — is the president and co-owner of MLS club Inter Miami CF which is playing its inaugural season this year. Beckham is also the co-owner of Salford City F.C. and has even gotten involved in esports withco-ownership of Guild Esports.
FIFA 21is available now for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One, with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions coming on December 4th.
MORE:Nintendo Switch and FIFA 21 Dominate NPD Sales Chart for October 2020
