Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) has been making headlines over the past few months by waging a steady assault on FIFA’s rights to everything in club soccer; most notable was an exclusive deal with Juventus, meaning that the club’s name, badge, kits and Allianz Stadium will only be available in PES 2020 — FIFA 20 players will have to make do with ‘Piemonte Calcio.’
Additionally, PES has signed deals with Barcelona (the Camp Nou is exclusive to PES), Bayern Munich (Allianz Arena is exclusive to PES) and Manchester United (this won’t affect FIFA as EA Sports has a partnership with the EPL), meaning that four of Europe’s biggest clubs will actually be represented in Konami’s game this year.
To celebrate having these licensed giants in the stable, the cover of PES 2020 will feature one player from each. Can you guess the corresponding footballers? If you’re thinking Lionel Messi for Barça, you’re correct.
I doubt you got any of the others right.
For Bayern it’s Serge Gnabry. For Juventus it’s not Cristiano Ronaldo, it’s Miralem Pjanić (who looks absolutely off his face in 3D rendering). For Manchester United ... it’s the man who experienced a McTomaissance last season: Scott McSauce McTominator McGoat McTominay, better known as Scotland.
Here it is! The OFFICIAL reveal of our Global cover for #eFootballPES2020, which launches on September 10th! pic.twitter.com/er682J68ku— eFootball PES (@officialpes) July 30, 2019
The 22-year-old gets the nod after making nine Premier League starts last season for being Paul Pogba’s antithesis. Former United manager Jose Mourinho was always full of praise for the way McTominay had “a normal haircut, no tattoos, no big cars, no big watches,” which makes me wonder why Mourinho didn’t sign me to command the midfield at Old Trafford.
Twitter was happy to see McTominay on the cover, because at this stage of his career he’s essentially a meme. And the internet loves a meme.
Not enough McTominay. Pass
— Mohammed Rahil (@m7mdrahil) July 30, 2019
McSauce making the cover along with Messi.
I know who my is— ™ (@TheFergusonWay) July 30, 2019
Couldve been messi ronaldo pogba and lewandowski, but the temptation to but a true footballing icon like @mctominay10 on the cover is just too good an opportunity
— Bradley Day (@bradday14) July 30, 2019
McGoat on the cover
— Ché (@UtdChe) July 30, 2019
McSauce on the cover ,You love to see it.
— Spider (@luviMUFC) July 30, 2019
Pes it is then , mcsauce season
— Pre-Season Icewoman (@TheIceWoman07) July 30, 2019
McSauce came in and everyone forgot Ronny
— Emma (@FootyOnEm) July 30, 2019
If you can’t wait to play some smart, simple passes with McTominay, the PES 2020 demo is available now on PS4, Xbox One and PC.
It's actually called eFootball PES 2020 this season, but I don't really care why and I doubt you do either.