Brazilian International and two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho of Barcelona will be the centre-piece of all FIFA 07 covers alongside individual star players from selected territories. Seven athletes in all will be featured on FIFA 07 covers and will be showcased in marketing campaigns around the world. L.A. Galaxy striker Landon Donovan and Francisco "Kikin" Fonseca of SL Benfica will be featured alongside Ronaldinho on the cover in North America while Wayne Rooney of Manchester United will be on the cover in the United Kingdom, Lukas Podolski of Bayern Munich in Germany, David Villa of Valencia in Spain and Juninho Pernambucano of Olympique Lyonnais in France.
"EA SPORTS works with the best players in the world to develop the most authentic soccer games and we are particularly proud of this year's line-up in FIFA 07," said Clive Downie, Vice-President of Marketing, EA Europe. "Every player who will grace the cover of FIFA 07 is renowned as one of the best at his position in the world, and we are offering a line-up which would be a match for any team past or present."
PLAYER NATIONALITY CLUB Wayne Rooney English Manchester United (England) Ronaldinho Brazilian Barcelona (Spain) David Villa Spanish Valencia (Spain) Lukas Podolski German Bayern Munich (Germany) Francisco Fonseca Mexican SL Benfica (Portugal) Juninho Pernambucano Brazilian Olympique Lyonnais (France) Landon Donovan American LA Galaxy (United States)Today, EA also announced it has renewed its exclusive licensing agreements with the English FA Premier League and the Mexican 1st Division.
The exclusive rights to the F.A. Premier League extend EA's license for an additional four years up to and including the 2010/11 season. The deal allows EA SPORTS sole rights to include every Premier League club and stadium and allows the FIFA franchise to deliver the most realistic and up-to-date game with current kits, squads and player likenesses.
"The Premier League is widely regarded as the most exciting in the world and we're delighted to have been able to extend our current deal," said Dan Holman, Marketing Manager, EA SPORTS. "The FIFA franchise has always delivered the most authentic game experience and our continuing relationship will enable us to maintain the high standards fans have come to expect from EA SPORTS."
The Mexican professional soccer league was founded in 1943 and this year the best 18 teams formed the 1st Division. This is the fourth consecutive year that the Mexican Soccer Federation has partnered with EA SPORTS to include the likenesses and profiles of players, team apparel, and for the first time, the league's official ball and main Mexican stadia.
"The Mexican 'First Division' league is proud to extend our partnership with the world's leading interactive gaming company," said Rodrigo Lopez Jurado / Federacion Mexicana de Futbol. "In our country, the FIFA franchise from EA is the most authentic and realistic interactive soccer game and it accurately depicts professional soccer in Mexico. We're looking forward to the exciting innovations in this year's FIFA 07."
With 27 leagues from over 20 nations and seven global stars unveiled today, FIFA 07 will re-create an authentic match day experience like never before, allowing fans to experience all the emotions associated with the real game.
This year, you have the power to shape your club's destiny in the EA SPORTS Interactive Leagues, a new online(2) mode that enables you to pit your club against supporters of your real-world opponents. The Interactive Leagues feature the F.A. Premier League, Bundesliga, French League and Mexican 1st Division. Experience the future of online gaming as you play your games according to the real-world schedule. When they play, you play. Track your team's progress as the aggregate results determine your club's position in the league table. Now you actually take to the pitch for the glory of your club. This is the season where you make the difference!
New intelligent A.I. ensures that your 11 men on the pitch make realistic decisions finding space and passing like professionals. A complete overhaul of the game engine now means that you have to employ real world tactics, make split-second decisions and think like a player in order to win matches. Watch as your players jostle and collide realistically while trying to win balls. Experience the realism of the world's superstars who come to life with signature moves and authentic playing styles and a more sophisticated shooting mechanic that gives you greater control to produce finesse shots, for pin-point accuracy, or powerful laces shots. Plus you have the ability to apply topspin or backspin to the ball for more creative set-pieces.
FIFA 07, developed by EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C., is scheduled to ship on the PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, NDS, GBA, PSP and PC. The game is rated is rated "E" (Everyone) by the ESRB.