EA Sports has officially confirmed the cover athlete for FIFA 21's next-gen cover. Soccer legend David Beckham, now 45 years old, will be the game's cover athlete on PS5 and Xbox Series X, making him the oldest FIFA cover athlete ever. The current-gen athlete is 21 year-old Ligue 1 Player of the Year, Kylian Mbappe, who holds the record for youngest FIFA cover athlete.
Beckham first graced the cover of a FIFA video game in 1997, and will return over 23 years later. For perspective, Beckham was scoring his first goal for England in the 1998 FIFA World Cup the same year that current-gen cover athlete Mbappe was born. Beckham had an impressive career lasting over 16 years, and now he will be honored with an appearance on the FIFA 21 cover, while also being added to the game's roster.
Beckham will be a FUT Icon player, and to celebrate the soccer legend's return, any fan who plays FIFA 21 from now until January 15 will receive an untradeable David Beckham card in FIFA Ultimate Team and see him usable as a VOLTA Groundbreaker. Groundbreakers are talented players that need to be beaten before recruiting them. Beckham will join the group of Groundbreakers that includes Mbappe, Olympic boxer Anthony Joshua, EDM DJ Diplo, and more.
Beckham will have three versions of FUT cards rated at 87, 89, and 92 overall. His prime 92-rated card features impressive individual ratings like 87 shooting, 88 dribbling, and 95 passing. The ratings are fitting, as Beckham has been regarded as one of the best crossers and free-kick components of all time. Beckham's pinpoint accuracy and ability to bend kicks made him one of the most dangerous midfielder to play.
Beckham played right flank, but was used as a central mid-fielder for part of his career. His FIFA 21 Ultimate Team card is listed as a right midfielder, but can be effective at most offensive positions. His defensive rating is only 69, and his pace and physical ratings are sub-80, so Beckham likely won't be blowing past defenders or chucking players off the ball.
EA Sports has announced that FIFA 21 will release on December 4 for both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, and have free upgrades on each console. Along with FIFA 21, EA's football simulation Madden 21 will also release on the same day for next-gen consoles, and just confirmed new gameplay features. Although EA Sports has not shared many details on FIFA 21 coming to next-gen, more details are expected before its release.
FIFA 21 is available now for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One, with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions releasing December 4.
Source: Instagram