It's been a good year for FIFA 20 Icons, with Zinedine Zidane and Ronald Koeman among the new old faces in this year's game. But that hasn't stopped us being greedy for more. With FIFA 20 approaching the end of its life cycle and FIFA 21 mere months away, below we take a look at the past, present and future of football – running down the best additions to this year's game, and those GR hopes to make the cut next year. Let's get your FIFA 20 Icons guide underway.
FIFA 20 icons explained
If you don't know what FIFA 20 icons are, let us explain. Icons were first introduced in FIFA 16, and back then they were known as legends. Legends were exclusive to Xbox, and they were old, retired players that people could acquire in Ultimate Team only. Players like Pele, Beckenbauer, Maldini and Best were some of the top legends, with stats as if they were in their prime.
Since then, they've been renamed to icons and been made available for every platform Ultimate Team is on (PS4, Xbox One, and PC). Some icons have been removed while plenty more have been added to the game, and every icon now has three versions: Baby, mid, and prime. Baby icons are the lowest rated cards from close to the start of their career, mid icons are from either before or after their prime and have the middle rating, while the prime icons have the highest rating and are based on the player during the peak of their career.
FIFA 20 icons list
Read on for an in-depth look at all of the newcomers to the FIFA 20 icons scene.
Zinedine Zidane
Oh Zizou. The majestic French midfielder, despite currently managing Real Madrid, features as an icon in FIFA 20 Ultimate Team. Zidane is available as both a player and a manager, but sadly there's no way to make them celebrate together when he scores.
Didier Drogba
Chelsea fans have been crying out for a Didier Drogba icon for some time now after the striker had a long and illustrious career at the club, and their prayers have been answered. His best card, rated 93 OVR, currently shifts for just under 1 million FIFA 20 coins.
Ronald Koeman
The Dutch legend is currently the manager of the Netherlands international team, after replacing Dick Advocaat who failed to qualify for the 2018 Euros. In his playing days he was a crucial player for clubs like Ajax and Barcelona, known especially for his passing skill.
Carlos Alberto
Carlos Alberto isn't as famous a name in modern football as some of the other FIFA 20 icons, but he's widely regarded as one of the best Brazilian defenders of all time. He was a strong, reliable right back who had somewhat of an eye for goal, check out those pace and defending attributes!
Ian Wright
While he currently spends his time helping Gary Lineker host Match of the Day, Ian Wright was a lethal striker in his playing days for Arsenal, scoring 128 goals in 221 games. He's the club's second highest scorer, only behind Thierry Henry.
Andrea Pirlo
He may have only retired a couple of years ago, but Andrea Pirlo is more than deserving of a FIFA 20 icons card due to his immense success with AC Milan and Juventus, followed by a shorter move to New York City FC where he proved he could still deliver those killer through balls even in his late 30s.
Michael Essien
Michael Essien brings an interesting factor into the mix. Since Essien is still playing for Sabail in the Azerbajian Premier League, he's the first icon to still be an active player. Admittedly, he's not playing at the top level anymore but it'll be interesting to see if any FIFA 21 icons fall under the same category.
Pep Guardiola
Arguably the best manager in the world right now, Pep Guardiola plied his trade at Barcelona, featuring for them more than 250 times as a playmaker. His icon stats aren't all that impressive compared to some icons out there, but it'll be hard to turn down the 88 defending and passing on his prime card.
Gianluca Zambrotta
One of the best full backs world football has ever seen, Zambrotta was instrumental in helping Italy win the 2006 World Cup. He starred for teams like Barcelona, Juventus, and Milan, with three Serie A titles under his belt.
Kenny Dalglish
Liverpool fans should be excited for this one, because club legend Kenny Dalglish is here finally. Throughout a career that spanned over 20 years, Dalglish featured over 550 times for Celtic and Liverpool, along with over 100 international appearances for Scotland and countless trophies.
John Barnes
Another Liverpool legend here in the form of John Barnes, who played over 300 times for the club with 84 goals. Having also played extensively for Watford, Barnes was a pacy winger who was a key player for both clubs throughout the '80s and '90s.
Ian Rush
Three Liverpool legends? Is that even legal?! Unfortunately, yes it is, as Rush joins Dalglish and Barnes having played for the club over 450 times across two spells, with over 200 goals. The lethal striker had a keen eye for goal as evidenced by his 92 shooting stat, supported by 86 pace and dribbling.
Garrincha
Thankfully not another Liverpool icon, Garrincha played almost exclusively for Botafogo in the Brasilian Serie A during his playing career as a right winger. Often regarded as the greatest dribbler of all time, Brazil never lost a match when Garrincha and Pele both featured.
Hugo Sanchez
In a controversial career that saw Hugo Sanchez spend most of his time at Atletico Madrid followed by Real Madrid, the Mexican striker scored 400 goals in almost 700 appearances for all of his clubs. He's the fourth highest La Liga goalscorer of all time, behind only Messi, Ronaldo, and Zarra, and he was especially known for his enigmatic celebrations like the backflip.
Kaka
The Brazilian midfield maestro spent the most of his career at Milan and Real Madrid, before jetting off to Orlando City to close out his days in the MLS. Known as one of the best playmakers in the world, Kaka's 91-rated prime card with 91 pace and 92 dribbling is a monster.
FIFA 21 icons wishlist
At the bottom of this guide is the complete list of FIFA 19 icons all making a return in FIFA 20, but first, here is our FIFA 20 icons wishlist:
1. David Beckham
It is absolutely criminal that David Beckham hasn't been featured as an icon in FIFA so far, because he was such an influential player throughout his entire career. From winning the Premier League six times with Manchester United to his world renowned move to Real Madrid and his eventual move to the MLS, Milan, and PSG, Beckham is the true definition of an icon.
2. Edgar Davids
With his badass shades and immense skills on the pitch, Edgar Davids is one of the most famous Dutch footballers with a career that saw him play for Ajax, Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur, and... Barnet. Alright, his performances in League Two at 40 years old might not get him the icon card, but his outstanding ability during the late '90s and early '00s means he's sorely missed in FIFA. He was even one of the cover stars for FIFA 2003!
3. Ferenc Puskas
One of the oldest, and sadly no longer with us, players on this list is Ferenc Puskas, a Hungarian international who was one of the best players in the world during the '40s, '50s, and '60s. He led Hungary, of all teams, to a second placed finish in the 1954 World Cup, and he won five consecutive Spanish league titles with Real Madrid. He even has a global award named after him; the Puskas Award is granted to the player who scored the most beautiful goal throughout the year. Come on EA, where is he?
4. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
And Solskjaer has won it! One of the most memorable lines of commentary for any United fan, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may not have played 90 minutes every game for the club, but he is by all means an absolute legend. He won the Champions League in 1999 with his last minute goal, securing the treble, and played for them for over 10 seasons. He's now managing the club and while we're still yet to see how the baby faced assassin will fare in the 2019/20 season, he deserves an icon card. Especially since he was one of the original legends in FIFA 16 and 17, it's a disgrace he was removed.
5. Cafu
Cafu may have played at right back, one of the less glamorous positions on the pitch, but it's safe to say he's one of the best Brazilian players of all time. He's the most capped player for his country with 142, and he's the only player in the world to have appeared in three consecutive World Cup finals, winning two of them. If Roberto Carlos deserves an icon card, so does Cafu.
6. Oliver Kahn
Before Manuel Neuer became one of the greatest German goalkeepers of all time, there was Oliver Kahn. He played the majority of his career with Bayern Munich and won eight Bundesliga titles, along with featuring 86 times for the national team, making him a hero for German fans everywhere, especially during the 2002 World Cup when Germany finished second, losing to Brazil in the final. Goalkeepers aren't recognised as often as outfield players, but Oliver Kahn is one of the best and deserves an icon card.
7. Eric Cantona
He may have had a shorter career than most on here, and he might also be infamously remembered for his karate kick on the fan in the crowd, but Eric Cantona is without a doubt one of the best players to have never received an icon card in FIFA. He arrived at United in the 1992/93 season and turned their season around, then played a prominent role in the club's multiple league titles during the '90s. Cantona may have had controversy follow him everywhere, but his ability and awards are undeniable.
Here are all of the FIFA 20 icons that featured in FIFA 19, along with their positions and prime icon rating:
- Pelé 98 CAM
- Maradona 97 CAM
- Ronaldo 96 ST
- Cruyff 94 CF
- Ronaldinho 94 LW
- Yashin 94 GK
- Maldini 94 CB
- Eusébio 93 CF
- Baggio 93 CAM
- Best 93 RW
- Baresi 93 CB
- Henry 93 ST
- Gullit 93 CF
- Van Basten 93 ST
- Matthaus 93 CM
- Rivaldo 92 LW
- Raúl 92 CF
- Cannavaro 92 CB
- Butragueno 92 ST
- Lineker 92 ST
- Figo 92 RW
- Moore 92 CB
- Stoichkov 92 ST
- Van Nistelrooy 92 ST
- Schmeichel 92 GK
- Puyol 92 CB
- Del Piero 92 CF
- Bergkamp 92 CF
- Zanetti 92 RB
- Nesta 92 CB
- Hierro 91 CB
- Nedved 91 LM
- Scholes 91 CM
- Socrates 91 CAM
- Trezeguet 91 ST
- Seedorf 91 CAM
- Gerrard 91 CM
- Ballack 91 CM
- Viera 91 CM
- Roberto Carlos 91 LB
- Owen 91 ST
- Van Der Sar 91 GK
- Kluivert 91 ST
- Pires 91 LM
- Shevchenko 91 ST
- Shearer 91 ST
- Desailly 91 CB
- Blanc 91 CB
- Laudrup 91 CAM
- Lehmann 90 GK
- Lampard 90 CM
- Makélélé 90 CDM
- Veron 90 CM
- Zola 90 CF
- Ferdinand 90 CB
- Deco 90 CM
- Inzaghi 90 ST
- Overmars 90 LM
- Larsson 90 ST
- Petit 90 CDM
- Hernandez 90 ST
- Rui Costa 90 CAM
- Rijkaard 90 CDM
- Litmanen 90 CAM
- Crespo 90 ST
- Gattuso 89 CDM
- Campbell 89 CB
- Nakata 88 CAM
You've seen all of the icons we want in FIFA 20, but what about the confirmed FIFA 20 stadiums?
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