In the FIFA community, speculation begins again after this season: Who will be on the cover of FIFA 19? The fan favorite is neither Messi nor Ronaldo.
Update: Here is the final cover of FIFA 19.
FIFA 18 gains momentum in the final stretch with World Cup mode and the Team of the Season on board. Nevertheless, there is already much speculation about FIFA 19, whose release will likely be at the end of September as usual. Of course, the discussion about the cover star is always part of it. Last year, Cristiano Ronaldo was the first to grace the cover. EA will likely announce who we can expect to see on the cover around mid-June during E3.
We show you the different options that fans wish for and the cover stars of the previous FIFA titles.
These stars have a good chance of being on the cover
Of course, there is no confirmed information about the cover of FIFA 19 yet. However, based on the performances of the past season and international market value, one can make predictions about who might make it onto the cover of FIFA 19.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Clearly, the superstar from Madrid is the first that comes to mind as a new, returning cover star. He made his debut in FIFA 18 and was present in the game without holding back.
What speaks for him? CR7 still stands alongside Messi as an elite in football. He is in the Champions League final and, despite initial struggles, had a strong season (44 goals in 43 matches).
What speaks against him? Ronaldo is now 33 years old, and any season could see his decline—it’s quite possible that EA is looking to find a younger cover star soon.
Lionel Messi
Messi also had an outstanding season, especially in the league. His TOTS card was rated lower than Ronaldo’s, shocking a large part of the FIFA community.
What speaks for him? Many believe Messi had a better season than Ronaldo, especially since he also assists and doesn’t just score goals. Additionally, at 30, he can play at the highest level for a longer time.
What speaks against him? The Barca superstar was already the cover star from FIFA 13 to 16—then he parted ways with EA. A return to the FIFA cover seems unlikely, especially since PES holds the rights to him.
Mohamed Salah
After this season, one must give the Egyptian chances for the cover. Salah collected special cards in FIFA, and his TOTS card was as strong as Messi’s.
What speaks for him? He had an outstanding season, is young, and plays in the Premier League, which EA often favors. Moreover, he doesn’t divide the fan base like Messi and Ronaldo do.
What speaks against him? If Salah remains a one-season wonder, EA will regret it. It’s quite possible that he’ll need to show consistency before becoming a cover star.
Neymar
When speaking of great solo artists in football, Neymar cannot be missed. The Brazilian from Paris St. Germain had a strong debut season in France.
What speaks for him? Neymar is THE star in Paris and plays for a successful national team. At 26, he is in his prime.
What speaks against him? He was already featured on the PES cover and is not exactly popular among many due to his transfer and behavior on the field.
Antoine Griezmann
The star of the third top Spanish club – Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid – had a good but not outstanding season.
What speaks for him? Similar to Neymar, he is also 27 and could have a strong World Cup with France. Additionally, he has been seen more often in FIFA 18, for example on packs.
What speaks against him? His season was by far not as good as Salah’s, Messi’s, or Ronaldo’s. It’s questionable whether that is enough for the cover of FIFA 19.
Thomas Müller
After Marco Reus already graced the FIFA cover in 2017, why shouldn’t a Bundesliga star do it again this year? Müller may not have the best statistics, but he is charming.
What speaks for him? His age, his club, and his performances in the DFB team. Additionally, Müller is appreciated not just in Germany for his character and, like Griezmann, was already seen in FIFA 18 on packs.
What speaks against him? His statistics are far from those of a superstar, and his appearance could be considered too “unspectacular” for the cover.
These are the community’s cover favorites
On the site fifplay, FIFA fans were able to vote for their preferred candidate for the cover of FIFA 19. Over a million players have already made their choice. The result is even relatively clear:
- Mohamed Salah (31%, 307,617 Votes)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (16%, 162,093 Votes)
- Lionel Messi (15%, 154,247 Votes)
- Thomas Müller (13%, 132,911 Votes)
- Neymar Jr. (9%, 89,273 Votes)
- Javier Hernández (4%, 38,937 Votes)
- Antoine Griezmann (3%, 25,321 Votes)
- Robert Lewandowski (2%, 22,773 Votes)
- Paulo Dybala (1%, 13,600 Votes)
- Paul Pogba (1%, 11,407 Votes)
Mohamed Salah thus stands out after this outstanding season with Liverpool, outshining the global stars Messi and Ronaldo, as he has nearly as many votes as both combined. Thomas Müller unexpectedly ranks 4th, even though this is not a German but an international survey.
Also surprising is the choice of Javier Hernandez (Chicharito) in 4th place. He is not a serious candidate for the cover star.
The cover stars of all FIFA titles
Only one player has made it onto the cover more often than Lionel Messi: Ronaldinho. Since 1994, many different players have graced the FIFA games, some of whom the current players may no longer even recognize.
| FIFA Title | Player |
|---|---|
| 18 | Cristiano Ronaldo |
| 17 | Marco Reus |
| 16 | Lionel Messi |
| 15 | Lionel Messi |
| 14 | Lionel Messi |
| 13 | Lionel Messi |
| 12 | Lukas Podolski / Mats Hummels |
| 11 | Mesut Özil / Rene Adler |
| 10 | Bastian Schweinsteiger / Wayne Rooney |
| 09 | Ronaldinho / Kevin Kuranyi |
| 08 | Miroslav Klose / Ronaldinho |
| 07 | Lukas Podolski / Ronaldinho |
| 06 | Lukas Podolski / Wayne Rooney / Ronaldinho |
| 05 | Patrick Vieira / Fernando Morientes / Andrij Schevtchenko |
| 04 | Alessandro del Piero / Thierry Henry / Ronaldinho |
| 03 | Roberto Carlos / Ryan Giggs / Edgar Davids |
| 02 | Gerald Asamoah |
| 01 | Lothar Matthäus |
| 00 | Mehmet Scholl |
| 99 | Olaf Thon |
| 98 | Andreas Möller |
| 97 | David Ginola |
| 96 | Frank de Boer / Jason McAteer |
| 95 | Erik Thorstvedt |
| International Soccer (94) | David Platt / Piotr Swierczewski |
Tell us your favorite: Who should be the cover star for FIFA 19? Again CR7? Salah? Or is there someone else you want to see in your FIFA collection?
