A new FIFA means new Icons in Ultimate Team, as Didier Drogba becomes the latest footballing legend available for your side in FIFA 20.
Last year we saw players like Eusebio, George Best and Rivaldo come to FIFA 19, with Icons receiving three Ultimate Team cards each.
These cards represent different stages from their career, often from the beginning, prime and end of their life as a footballer. For example, Pele has 91, 95 and 98 Icon cards on the game.
RealSport looks at all the Icons that arrive in FIFA 20 this season… and predict their potential ratings.
Didier Drogba (OVR 87 – 89 – 91)
One of the most iconic Premier League players we have ever seen, Didier Drogba is simply a Chelsea legend. The Ivorian forward will be most famously remembered for scoring the decisive penalty to secure the Champions League for the Blues against Bayern Munich in 2012.
Drogba also lifted four Premier League titles over two spells at Chelsea, and is the club’s second highest PL goal scorer after fellow FUT Icon and now club manager Frank Lampard.
He is the Ivory Coast’s highest ever goal scorer with 65 goals, although their ‘golden generation’, featuring other greats such as the Toure brothers and fellow Chelsea man Salomon Kalou, never struck gold.
On FIFA 20, expect Drogba’s first card to be around the 87 mark due to the back-to-back Premier League titles under Jose Mourinho in 2005 & 2006. An 89 rating represents his best Premier League season, where he secured one of his two golden boots with 29 league goals in the double winning season of 2010. His prime came later than most, and a 91 rating could be seen due to his magnificent 2012 Champions League final performance
Andrea Pirlo (OVR 88 – 92 – 86)
Perhaps the classiest Italian we have ever seen, Andrea Pirlo won it all in his career. The central midfielder got his big break at AC Milan, despite joining from arch-rivals Inter, winning two Serie A titles and two Champions Leagues with the club.
His career highlight came in 2006, winning the World Cup with Italy alongside fellow FIFA Icons Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Del Piero, Alessandro Nesta and Filippo Inzaghi.
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In 2011, he made another controversial switch, joining the heavyweights of Juventus on a free transfer. In one of the greatest deals in the league’s history, Pirlo claimed four titles in his four seasons in Turin, finishing with 58 goals and 65 Serie A assists, before enjoying a swansong in the MLS with New York City.
A prime rating of 92 would reflect Pirlo’s 2006 World Cup win with Italy, with an 88 for his two Champions League at AC Milan and an 86 for his league title with the Old Lady.
Ronald Koeman (OVR 91 – 89 – 87)
Now managing the Dutch national team, Ronald Koeman is one of the greatest players in the nation’s history. Although the Oranje have never won the World Cup, Koeman was part of the side that claimed their only ever major silverware, the European Championships in 1988.
On the club scene, the versatile Koeman made the move from Ajax to Dutch rivals PSV in 1986, but it was worth it, claiming three further Eredivisie titles in Eindhoven and the small matter of a European Cup.
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A move to Barcelona followed, claiming four league titles in a row as well as another European Cup in 1992, playing alongside greats such as FUT Icons Hristo Stoichkov and Michael Laudrup as well as Man City boss Pep Guardiola.
Given the success early on his career, Koeman’s ratings on Ultimate Team will show a decline, with his European double 1988 season reflected with a 91 overall. His 1992 European Cup win could be shown by an 89 rating, and he should also receive an 87 for his La Liga win in 1994, where he was also the top scorer in the Champions League… not bad for a defender.
Ian Wright (OVR 87 – 90 – 88)
It’s great to see Arsenal legend Ian Wright finally make an appearance in the FIFA franchise, with the striker often seen working or representing the EA franchise.
The phrase “there’s only one Ian Wright” came from the England man coming onto the scene so late, signing a professional contract with Crystal Palace just before he turned 22, then waiting four seasons to make to the top-flight, before moving to Arsenal aged 26.
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In his first six seasons at Highbury, Wright scored no less than 23 goals each year, eventually finishing his Gunners career with then a club record 185 goals. Under Arsene Wenger he would claim the double in 1998, to go with a cup double in 1993 and a European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.
For FIFA 20, Wright should receive an early career rating on 87, representing his 25-goal season for Crystal Palace that earned him a move to Arsenal. A year later he won the Golden Boot with 24 league goals, and that could give him a prime rating of 90. Despite being fringe player in 1997-98, the double winning season must be recognised, where he could be given an 88 overall.
Who else can we expect?
With these three taking the the Icons list to an impressive 80, you wonder how many more EA could add. With the likes of Ronaldinho, Diego Maradona, Francesco Totti and Pavel Nedved possibly exclusive to PES 2020 – perhaps we will see replacements.
READ MORE: All the ICONS we want to see in FIFA 20 Ultimate Team
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