PES Legends: Celebrating the Greatest Players in the Series
The PES, or Pro Evolution Soccer, series of soccer games began in 2001 and has since become a staple of soccer simulation gaming. As time has gone on, the ever-evolving graphics and game mechanics have made the games as exhilarating and realistic as could be imagined. And, with each iteration, some of the most talented soccer players in the world have been faithfully re-created to inhabit the digital pitches.
In celebration of the many amazing players that have been immortalized into the PES series, we’ve decided to rank some of the best of them. It would be impossible to cover them all in this list, but these are some of the icons that have have made their marks on the digital version of the beautiful game.
Number 10 – Cristiano Ronaldo (PES 2014)
Long before EA’s FIFA series officially acquired the exclusive license to the Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo had already been highlighted several times in the PES series. PES 2014’s version of him is a good representation of how his skill shone during his time at Real Madrid. Not only that, but his technical movement in the game was very accurate in terms of the way Ronaldo actually moved on the pitch.
Number 9 – Rivaldo (PES 4)
All the way back to the PES 4 era, Rivaldo was featured as one of the best offensive players in the game. Prior to his inclusion, Rivaldo had been one of the brightest stars in world football during his time with Barcelona and AC Milan. He was also a notable contender for the 1999 Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards, so it’s no surprise that he was one of the most popular inclusions in the early PES games.
Number 8 – Ronaldinho (PES 2008)
The-then Barcelona super star was the guest of honor in PES 2008 and, unsurprisingly, made a huge impact in the game. His dribbling and ball control was near-flawless and was a delight to use when trying to unlock a tough defense. His trademark moves, such as his elastico and flip flap, and happy celebratory persona made for an enjoyable overall experience.
Number 7 – Zinedine Zidane (PES 3)
It was easy to underestimate Zidane’s effectiveness in PES 3 due to the fact that the game was still very much in its infancy. But, anyone who has had the chance to use him in the game will know that he was immensely graceful. Technically, he could do just about anything on the pitch. His positional awareness and playmaker intelligence was always on point, and it showed through his results in the game.
Number 6 – Andriy Shevchenko (PES 3)
Shevchenko made his debut in PES 3 and, along with the likes of Zidane, he quickly gained popularity. He was able to link midfield to attack with ease, and his lethal finishing ability was quite the sight to behold. PES 3’s Shevchenko was the one player who seemed to have everything: speed, strength, anticipation, dribbling, and most importantly, goals.
Number 5 – Alessandro Del Piero (PES 1)
Del Piero is the only player from the original PES to make our top 10, and he deserves it. As one of the most iconic footballers in history, his presence was felt in the game’s first outing. His midfield creativity a hallmark of his game was faithfully re-created in the game, allowing him to bover in from the wings and carry the ball forward.
Number 4 – Diego Maradona (PES 6)
The original PES only hinted at what a footballing icon Diego Maradona was, however. His true likeness made its first appearance in PES 6 and still stands tall against the rest. Not only was his personal skill set faithfully re-created but his self-expression in the game was also on point. His ability to work his way through opposition with a few touches was unparalleled.
Number 3 – Lionel Messi (PES 2018)
Today’s most iconic footballer, it would have been a sin to leave Lionel Messi out of this list. PES 2018 managed to capture the Barcelona’s superstar’s talent with perfect accuracy and made him the dominant force he is in today’s game. Messis’ pace and ball control, along with his intuitive movement, made him extremely tough to contain in the game.
Number 2 – Roberto Carlos (PES 3)
Strengthening our argument for PES 3’s greatness is the inclusion of Roberto Carlos. This Brazilian defender is widely considered one of the best left-backs of all-time and PES 3 faithfully re-created how apt he was at intercepting the ball and initiating counters. Even when playing against a full team of 11 players, Carlos would find a way to make his presence felt.
Number 1 – Ronaldinho Gaucho (PES 2017)
Inevitably, we come full circle to Ronaldinho, who famously graced the cover for the game’s PS2 revival in 2017. Ronaldinho Gaucho was the ideal mix of speed, skill, and technique and his version in PES 2017 was near perfect. His through-pass accuracy, goal-scoring instinct, and overall aura made him almost indomitable and a pleasure to play with.
Honorable Mentions
Some of the other legend players who were on the cusp of making this list players are; Andrea Pirlo, Lucho Gonzalez, Steven Gerrard, and Paul Scholes.
Overall, PES has a long list of amazing players who have been honored to be apart of the digital game over the years. It’s hard to imagine the series without them, and they will surely live on in the hall of fame of video game legends. Who knows, maybe one day in the future the series will feature holographic versions of these idols. Until then, all we can do is want and cherish their virtual existence.
