Following nearly 20 years as an annual release, the Pro Evolution Soccer (or PES) series ended in 2020, with eFootball taking its place.
eFootball has had a difficult start to life but remains the best free-to-play football game on the market.
However, with fans clamouring for a PES revival, could those prayers be about to be answered?
PES Revival on the cards?
SiuMing_Gamer has taken to Twitter to reveal a document showcasing a new trademark filed by Konami.
The trademark, filed in Hong Kong, is for "Winning Eleven", a phrase commonly linked to Pro Evolution Soccer (PES).
Up until 2012, the Winning Eleven name was synonymous with the handheld version of PES, available on Android.
Whilst this new trademark information doesn't guarantee a return of PES, it does bode the question as to whether Konami is considering a return to the series.
Away from the console version of the game, it could mean that Winning Eleven itself could be returning to mobile, with Koanmi potentially testing the waters.
Of course, this trademark document could also mean that Konami is simply protecting an asset and name commonly associated with themselves.
There is a high chance, with no indication of the contrary, that this is a trademark simply restricting other games from using this phrase.
Whilst we aren't sure on what the future holds for eFootball and Konami's influence in the football sphere, certain cogs could be moving that may just see this ranked outsider re-enter the race and once again mount a challenge to EA Sports' throne.