A Definitive Ranking of "FIFA" Cover Athletes

Some of the greatest players in the world have graced the cover of FIFA. Join us as we rank them from top to bottom.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Yesterday, EA Sports released FIFA 15, the latest installment in an incredible series that began in 1994. FIFA 15 is more interactive than ever; finely tuned AI allows for every player on the pitch to have a personality and playing style. Even the goalkeepers have their own idiosyncrasies. Additional stadiums. Additional clubs. Additional rivalries. Additional customization. FIFA 15 has a “more is more” ethos that fits in perfectly with the new console generation.

Today, we’re looking back at the FIFA cover athletes (American covers only)—the players and personalities that have represented football (or as we Americans call it, soccer) to millions of gamers worldwide over the years. Some are more well known than others, but all of them bring glory to their clubs and home countries. Lace up those cleats, ladies and gentlemen. It’s time to feel the game.

32. Freddy Adu

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31. Piotr Świerczewski

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30. Tomasz Radzinski

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29. Omar Bravo

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28. Roy Lassiter

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27. Oswaldo Sanchez

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26. Erik Thorstvedt

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25. Eddie Pope

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24. Ben Olsen

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23. Frank de Boer

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22. Kasey Keller

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21. Fernando Morientes

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20. Javier Hernández Balcázar

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19. David Platt

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18. Rafael Márquez

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17. Clint Dempsey

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16. Theo Walcott

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15. Landon Donovan

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14. José ‘Bebeto’ de Oliveira

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13. Frank Lampard

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12. Edgar Davids

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11. Andriy Shevchenko

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10. Ryan Giggs

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9. Paul Scholes

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8. Gheorghe Hagi

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7. Thierry Henry

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6. Wayne Rooney

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5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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4. Ricardo ‘Kaká’ Leite

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3. Alessandro Del Piero

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2. Ronaldo ‘Ronaldinho’ Moreira

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1. Lionel Messi

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