PES 2019: All the Classic Players and Real Names (European Classics & World Classics)

You may not even realise it, but there some classic players on PES 2019. Even if you have found the European Classics and World Classics on the game, you will not recognise the talented players in those squads. This is because they have been given fake names due to a lack of licences, but don’t worry, RealSport is here to reveal who these players really are. 

How to find the classic teams

Head to Kick Off, Exhibition match and go almost all the way to the bottom of the leagues and select Classic Teams. Here you will find the European Classics and World Classics teams. You can use the teams in League and Cup modes, and if you turn Classic Players ON in Master League, you can buy these classic players in the transfer market. 

How to change player names

Head to Extras, and select Edit. Select Players, Edit Player and head all the way down to Classic Teams. 

Choose the player you want to edit and select Player Name. Change the name (keep it in block capitals to stick to the PES format), and you can also change the Commentary Name and Name Print (shirt name). 

European Classics

5 star rating

FW 93 – MF 93 – DF 88

The European Classics is the best team on the game, and looking at the real names of their players, it’s no surprise. Sticking with what typifies PES, there is a distinct 90s feel to this classic team. 

Oliver Kahn (A. Rampf)

Position: GK

OPR rating: 90

Best abilities: 98 goalkeeping, 98 catching, 96 coverage

We start with Oliver Kahn who is one of the finest goalkeepers to ever grace the game. The former German number one lifted eight Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich along with a Champions League and won the European Championships with the national team in 1996. His 90 OPR on PES 2019 consists of 98 goalkeeping, 98 catching and 96 coverage.

Jaap Stam (W. Huisman)

Position: CB

OPR rating: 84

Best abilities: 92 ball winning, 90 physical contact, 84 speed

Remembered fondly by Manchester United fans, Dutch centre back Jaap Stam won three consecutive Premier League titles with the club, including the treble-winning 1998/99 season where they also lifted the Champions League and FA Cup. Elsewhere, Stam won the Eredivisie in his homeland with PSV and the Coppa Italia with Lazio. On this year’s PES, his 84 OPR has abilities of 92 ball winning, 90 physical contact and useful 84 speed. 

Fabio Cannavaro (D. Tornatore)

Position: CB

OPR rating: 89

Best abilities: 94 jump, 91 defensive prowess, 88 explosive power

One of the best defenders the game has ever seen, Fabio Cannavaro’s crowning moment was leading Italy to World Cup glory in 2006. That triumph earned him a move to Real Madrid, winning two league titles with the Spanish giants, adding to his UEFA Cup and two Coppa Italias at Parma. Strangely, Cannavaro failed to lift any silverware at Inter Milan or Juventus. On PES 2019, 94 jump, 91 defensive prowess and 88 explosive power give him an 89 OPR.

Lilian Thuram (M. Page)

Position: CB

OPR rating: 84

Best abilities: 88 ball winning, 87 physical contact, 85 stamina

Another member of that young, successful Parma side, Lilian Thuram went on to Juventus and won two Serie A titles. The French World Cup winner then switched Turin for Barcelona to finish his career but missed out on silverware to Real Madrid in both his seasons there. The centre back, who can also play at right back, has 88 ball winning, 87 physical contact and 85 stamina on the game, giving him an 84 rating. 

Paolo Maldini (S. Giunchi)

Position: CB

OPR rating: 89

Best abilities: 91 ball winning, 90 defensive prowess, 87 long pass

Another versatile defender, Paolo Maldini could play at centre or left back. Now 50, Maldini played the entirety of his 24-year professional career at AC Milan, racking up over 900 appearances to the club, adding to his 126 Italy caps. In terms of silverware, Maldini lifted seven Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia and five Champions Leagues, and finished both runner-up and third place at the World Cup. On the game his 89 OPR consists of 91 ball winning, 90 defensive prowess and 87 long pass. 

Patrick Vieira (G. Foignet)

Position: DMF

OPR rating: 88

Best abilities: 92 physical contact, 92 stamina, 89 header

A true midfield enforcer, Arsenal failed to win a Premier League trophy without Patrick Vieira at the club. The Frenchman lifted the title three times along with three FA Cups in North London, before heading to Italy and winning four more league titles with Inter Milan. The 1998 World Cup winner recently left his post as New York City manager to take up the reins at French outfit Nice. 

Pep Guardiola (A. Suela)

Position: DMF

OPR rating: 87

Best abilities: 94 low pass, 92 lofted pass, 89 ball control

Now regarded as the best manager in the world, Pep Guardiola was a handy player back in his day. A defensive midfielder, the Spaniard won six league titles with Barcelona and a European Cup before turning to management in 2007. After just one season in charge of Barcelona B, he took the senior side to three consecutive La Liga triumphs along with two Champions Leagues, before seeking a new challenge at Bayern Munich. He again won three league titles on the trot, and has recently won the Premier League in his second season at Manchester City. As for PES, Guardiola has stats of 94 low pass, 92 lofted pass and 89 ball control to aid his 87 OPR. 

David Beckham (R. Meale)

Position: RMF

OPR rating: 88

Best abilities: 99 place kicking, 99 lofted pass, 96 swerve

David Beckham’s image rights are on PES 2019, but only in MyClub. So for all offline modes you’ll have to make do with his European Classics player. The most famous footballer there has ever been, Beckham won six Premier League titles with Manchester United, two FA Cups and a Champions League, before heading to Real Madrid to win La Liga in 2007. Two MLS Cups with LA Galaxy and a Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain meant Becks finished his career in style. The right midfielder unsurprisingly has stats of 99 place kicking, 99 lofted pass and 96 swerve to give him a rating of 88.

Luis Figo (M. Bitencourt)

Position: RWF

OPR rating: 87

Best abilities: 93 dribbling, 90 place kicking, 90 ball control

Beckham had to contend with Luis Figo for the right wing spot at Real Madrid, with Figo just as dangerous going forward. The Portuguese played for giants Barcelona and Inter Milan as well as Real, claiming eight league titles across both Spain and Italy, plus a Champions League triumph in 2002. On the game, Figo’s 87 OPR includes abilities of 93 dribbling, 90 place kicking and 90 ball control. 

Zinedine Zidane (A. De Mirabeau)

Position: AMF

OPR rating: 95

Best abilities: 96 low pass, 96 ball control, 95 dribbling

An outrageously talented footballer Zinedine Zidane won it all during his career. The attacking midfielder rose to fame at Juventus, winning two league titles before heading to Real Madrid to claim a La Liga and a Champions League title. On the international scene, he won the World Cup and Euros back-to-back with France, before stepping in to mange Real Madrid in January 2016. In his three seasons at the helm, he won the Champions League every year and stopped Barcelona’s dominance to win La Liga in 2017. On PES 2019, a 95 OPR for Zidane has abilities of 96 low pass, 96 ball control and 95 dribbling. 

Ruud van Nistelrooy (P. Boer)

Position: CF

OPR rating: 90

Best abilities: 95 attacking prowess, 95 finishing, 92 ball control

Back to another Premier League great, a true fox-in-the-box, Ruud van Nistelrooy won each of the four English domestic titles with Manchester United over his five seasons there. Beforehand, he won the Eredivisie twice with PSV Eindhoven, and later claimed two league titles with Real Madrid. On this year’s PES, abilities of 95 attacking prowess, 95 finishing and 92 ball control take his OPR to 90. 

European Classics full squad

World Classics

5 star rating

FW 92 – MF 83 – DF 83

The World Classics has more of a ‘classic’ feel to it with so many icons and cult heroes amongst the squad. Again, the players come from the 90s and early noughties. 

Jose Luis Chilavert (S. Olive)

Position: GK

OPR rating: 82

Best abilities: 94 reflexes, 94 goalkeeping, 90 coverage

Craving a goalkeeper that can score goals as well as save them? Paraguayan international Jose Luis Chilavert scored 54 times in his career, courtesy of his ability from the penalty spot as well as free kicks. He lifted six league titles across South America, and was awarded the World’s Best Goalkeeper prize three times. On PES 2019, 94 reflexes, 94 goalkeeping and 90 coverage provide him with an 82 OPR. 

Aldair (H. Nogueira)

Position: CB

OPR rating: 75

Best abilities: 83 ball winning, 81 defensive prowess, 79 physical contact

A legend from the Serie A hay-days, centre back Aldair captained Roma to Serie A success in 2001. Seven years earlier, he was part of the Brazil squad that won the World Cup in 1994 and he also claimed the Confederations Cup in 2007. 83 ball winning, 81 defensive prowess and 79 physical contact grant him a 75 OPR this year. 

Roberto Ayala (S. Padial)

Position: CB

OPR rating: 81

Best abilities: 84 header, 84 ball winning, 83 defensive prowess

A rock at the back for Argentina during the 90s and noughties, Roberto Ayala played regularly for his country for 13 years. The centre back was part of Rafael Benitez’s Valencia team that did the unthinkable and got to two consecutive Champions League finals, won two La Liga titles and won the UEFA Cup. On PES, Ayala’s 81 OPR holds abilities of 84 header, 84 ball winning and 83 defensive prowess. 

Cafu (B. Serpa)

Position: RB

OPR rating: 86

Best abilities: 95 stamina, 84 ball control, 83 lofted pass

The greatest right back of all time, Cafu used to bomb up and down the right flank for whoever he played for. The Brazilian captained his nation to win the World Cup in 2002, his second World Cup crown, whilst also claiming two Copa Americas for his country and two Serie A titles with Roma and AC Milan. The defender's stats of 95 stamina, 84 ball control and 83 lofted pass give him an OPR of 86. 

Roberto Carlos (I. Da Gama)

Position: LB

OPR rating: 88

Best abilities: 98 kicking power, 95 swerve, 91 speed

Cafu’s partner on the other side of the defence was the powerhouse Roberto Carlos. Remembered for the ‘impossible’ free kick against France in 1997, Carlos achieved so much more in his career, winning the World Cup, two Copa Americas, Confederations Cup, four La Ligas and three Champions Leagues. The left back’s stats of 98 kicking power, 95 serve and 91 speed take his OPR to 88. 

Dunga (C. Mendonca)

Position: DMF

OPR rating: 84

Best abilities: 87 stamina, 85 low pass, 84 kicking power

Another Brazilian icon, Dunga was the captain when they won the World Cup in 1994. His two stints as manger of the national team didn’t have quite the same level of success, despite winning the Copa America in 2007, Confederations Cup in 2009 and taking them to the Bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics. On the game, 87 stamina, 85 low pass and 84 kicking power give Dunga an 84 OPR.

Diego Simeone (A. Pahissa)

Position: CMF

OPR rating: 82

Best abilities: 89 header, 89 stamina, 84 ball control

Diego Simeone also turned to management, and is the current Atletico Madrid boss. As a player, the central midfielder won La Liga with Atletico in 1996 as well as a UEFA Cup with Inter Milan and Serie A with Lazio. As a manager, his success in his native Argentina earned him the Atletico job, delivering a first league title to the club since he had won it as a player, and adding two Europa Leagues and a Copa del Rey. An 82 OPR on PES is aided by an 89 header, 89 stamina and 84 ball control. 

Carlos Valderrama (G. Lidon)

Position: AMF

OPR rating: 84

Best abilities: 93 ball control, 92 low pass, 88 unwavering balance

Iconic more for his hair than his ability, Carlos Valderrama was still a fine player in his day. The Colombian attacking midfielder perhaps didn’t deliver the silverware his talent deserved, claiming just two Colombian championships and a French Cup, but also playing in Spain and the US. On this year’s game, an 84 OPR for Valderrama holds abilities of 93 ball control, 92 low pass and 88 unwavering balance. 

Romario (D. Teixeira)

Position: CF

OPR rating: 91

Best abilities: 93 explosive power, 92 prowess, 91 ball control

A clinical finisher, Romario netted over 1000 goals in his career, playing for ten different clubs over 24 years. The highlight from his domestic career would be his 18 months at Barcelona, where he scored 34 goals in 46 league games, winning the league in 1994, and a few months later winning the World Cup with Brazil. On PES 2019 his 91 OPR holds stats of 93 explosive power, 92 prowess and 91 ball control. 

Gabriel Batistuta (J. Hull)

Position: CF

OPR rating: 87

Best abilities: 93 kicking power, 92 finishing, 92 attacking prowess

Nicknamed ‘Batigol’ Gabriel Batistuta was lethal in front of goal. The Argentine fired his country to consecutive Copa America wins in 1991 and 1993, and also lifted titles with River Plate, Boca Juniors, Fiorentina and Roma. An 87 OPR on PES contains abilities of 93 kicking power, 92 finishing and 92 attacking prowess.

Ronaldo (B. Chaves)

Position: CF

OPR rating: 92

Best abilities: 95 finishing, 93 speed, 92 attacking prowess

An even greater goal scorer, and perhaps the best ever is the Brazilian Ronaldo, O Fenomeno. The striker finished his career with 414 goals in 616 games, helping Brazil win two World Cups and Real Madrid two La Ligas. His hat-trick at Old Trafford in 2003 even forced Manchester United fans to applaud. 95 finishing, 93 speed and 92 attacking prowess take Ronaldo’s OPR on PES to 92.

World Classics full squad