EA Sports looked to have upped their game once more for FIFA 19, with a whole host of new Icons coming to Ultimate Team when it hits the shelves at the end of the month. The Icons are legends from the game down the years, with the big names from FIFA 18 including the Brazilian Ronaldo and the mercurial Ronaldinho.
Each Icon has three cards in Ultimate Team, reflecting three stages of their career. Each card has a different rating, with the highest known as their Prime item. More Icons are being released every hour on September 5, so be sure to come back to this page to see who else has been added.
RealSport looks at all the new Icons for FIFA 19, with all the following players joining all the Icons we saw on FIFA 18 for this year's Ultimate Team.
Johan Cruyff (OVR 89 - PRIME 94 - OVR 91)
Johan Cruyff is one of few players to have a skill move named after him, but the Cruyff turn is as powerful now as it was when the Dutch legend unleashed it at the 1974 World Cup. The centre forward claimed eight Eredivisie titles with Ajax and a La Liga with Barcelona, and three Ballon d’Or victories. He later became Barcelona manager and won the league a further four times and a European Cup.
George Best (OVR 88 – PRIME 93 – OVR 90)
George Best is perhaps the greatest British player we have ever seen, with the right winger making fans go wild at Old Trafford for 12 seasons. During that period he scored 181 goals, won two First Division titles and a European Cup and claimed the Ballon d’Or. The Northern Irishman then went on to play for a host of clubs, including Los Angeles Aztecs, Fulham, Hibernian, San Jose Earthquakes, Hong Kong Rangers and Bournemouth.
Eusebio (OVR 89 - PRIME 93 - OVR 91)
The younger generation may not be familiar with Eusebio, but the Portuguese centre forward is perhaps the only man who could rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the nation’s greatest ever player. The Benfica legend scored 473 in 440 games for the club, winning 11 league titles and a European Cup, and he led Portugal to their greatest ever World Cup finish, finishing third in 1996. His nine goals earned him the Golden Boot to go with his Ballon d’Or the year before.
Roberto Baggio (OVR 91 - PRIME 93 - OVR 89)
Roberto Baggio is unfortunately remembered for his dodgy haircut and penalty miss at the 1994 World Cup, but you cannot deny how great the attacking midfielder was. The Italian Ballon d’Or winner never played outside of his homeland, enjoying most his success with Juventus, scoring 115 goals and winning Serie A, Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup.
Franco Baresi (OVR 88 - PRIME 93 - OVR 91)
Italy know how to produce defenders, with Franco Baresi setting the benchmark for the likes of Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, Fabio Cannavaro, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci to follow. Baresi played for AC Milan for his entire career, winning Serie A six times and the European Cup three times during his 19 years (15 as captain) at the club. "Kaiser Franz" lifted the World Cup with Italy in 1982, and skippered the side that got to the final in 1994.
Fabio Cannavaro (OVR 87 - PRIME 92 - OVR 89)
One of the defensive greats, Cannavaro did what Baggio couldn’t and lifted the World Cup aloft in 2006. Later that year the centre back won the Ballon d’Or, the last and only second defender to win the award alongside Franz Beckenbauer. On a domestic level, Cannavaro was part of the iconic Parma side that won the UEFA Cup in 1999, and after spells at Inter Milan and Juventus, he headed to Real Madrid, winning two La Liga titles.
Raul (OVR 88 - PRIME 92 - OVR 86)
Cannavaro linked up with Raul at Real Madrid, and there is no denying that the Spaniard is one of the greats of the club. The centre forward represented Los Blancos close to 750 times, captaining them for seven years, and lifted seven La Ligas and three Champions Leagues. He also skippered the Spanish national team, earning over 100 caps and scoring 44 goals.
Rivaldo (OVR 90 - PRIME 92 - OVR 87)
Rivaldo was part of the ‘Three Rs’ that tore up the 2002 World Cup for Brazil alongside Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Expect his three Icon cards to be a range of positions, with the left winger also operating as a centre forward and attacking midfielder in his career. The years surrounding 2000 were incredibly successful for Rivaldo, winning two La Ligas with Barcelona and a Champions League with AC Milan sandwiching his World Cup victory.
Luis Figo (OVR 88 – PRIME 92 – OVR 90)
If Cristiano Ronaldo and Eusebio are the best two Portuguese players of all time, Luis Figo is certainly third on that list. The right winger or attacking midfielder lifted titles at Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan during his career, with his crowning moment a Champions League success with Real in 2002. Another man to win the Ballon d’Or, Figo fought off future team mate Zinedine Zidane and Andriy Shevchenko to claim the award in 2000.
Hristo Stoichkov (OVR 87 - PRIME 92 - OVR 90)
A lethal finisher, Hristo Stoichkov tore things up for first CSKA Sofia in his native Hungary, and then for Barcelona. For the Catalans the striker bagged 107 goals in five seasons, winning five league titles at the club and the European Cup over two spells at the club. El Pistolero, 'The Gunslinger', claimed the Ballon d'Or in 1994 and the European Golden Shoe in 1990, and became one of the first big names to head to the MLS at the end of his career, playing for Chicago Fire and DC United.
Emilio Butragueno (OVR 87 - PRIME 92 - OVR 90)
A legend of Real Madrid, striker Emilio Butragueno netted 165 goals for the club spanning 13 seasons. Nicknamed El Buitre (The Vulture), Butragueno lifted six La Liga titles, three Copa del Reys and a UEFA Cup with Real, and helped Spain reach the final of the 1985 European Championships. He netted five times at the 1986 World Cup, and his 26 goals for his country was the record for many years but has since been overtaken by the most recent generation, including David Villa, Fernando Torres and David Silva.
Bobby Moore (OVR 87 - PRIME 92 - OVR 89)
The only man to have captained England to World Cup glory, Bobby Moore is the ultimate icon of English football. The central defender played for his beloved West Ham for 14 years, winning the FA Cup and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, before moving on to Fulham and then globe trotting with San Antonio Thunder, Seattle Sounders, Midtjylland and Carolina Lightnin'.
Ryan Giggs (OVR 87 - PRIME 92 - OVR 89)
The greatest ever Premier League stalwart, Ryan Giggs played for Manchester United for 24 consecutive seasons. He scored in each of the first 21 seasons of the Premier League, lifting the trophy 13 times, going with his two Champions Leagues, four FA Cups and four League Cups. He leads the PL assists charts with 162 and is second in terms of appearances with 632. After a spell as caretaker and assistant manager of United, Giggs is now coaching the Wales national team, with the aim of becoming manager of his club in the future.
Gary Lineker (OVR 87 - PRIME 92 - OVR 89)
Now the presenter of Match of the Day, Gary Lineker was a prolific striker in is day. The forward smashed goals in for Leicester, Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham, winning cup competitions in both England and Spain. For England, he picked up the World Cup Golden Boot in 1986, on course to his 48 international goals, which has only been bettered by Wayne Rooney wearing the Three Lions.
Ruud van Nistelrooy (OVR 86 - PRIME 92 - OVR 90)
The ultimate fox in the box, Ruud van Nistelrooy was deadly in the penalty area. The Dutch striker scored over 380 goals for club and country during his career, winning league titles in Holland, England and Spain. He will mostly be remembered for his success with Manchester United, picking up the Golden Boot and Player of the Season award in 2003 after winning the Premier League and netting 44 goals in all competitions.
Socrates (OVR 87 – PRIME 91 – OVR 89)
Another Brazilian, Socrates was the true football hipster. The attacking midfielder had a fantastic beard and headband, with his medical degree earning him the nickname “Doctor Socrates”. Despite playing in a great Brazilian team, Socrates never won the World Cup, but did claim league titles with Corinthians and Flamengo, and scored over 100 goals for his country in 130 games.
Miroslav Klose (OVR 87 - PRIME 91 - OVR 89)
The all-time top goal scorer at the World Cup, Germany legend Miroslav Klose bagged 16 goals over four tournament finals, finally winning the trophy in 2014. He is also his nation's top goal scorer with 71 goals, and is the only man to achieve a medal in four World Cups, doing so in four consecutive tournaments. Klose also had a pretty useful club career, winning the Bundesliga twice and two German Cups with Bayern Munich, and later the Coppa Italia with Lazio. After retiring in 2016, Klose finished his 16-year career with over 300 goals for club and country.
Paul Scholes (OVR 87 - PRIME 91 - OVR 89)
A pass master, Paul Scholes played for Manchester United for 18 seasons, representing the club over 700 times and notching more than 150 goals. With United he won 11 Premier Leagues, two Champions Leagues, three FA Cups and two League Cups. He couldn't quite convert his club success to the international stage, but still represented England 66 times, often shunted out to left hand side of midfield.
Michael Ballack (OVR 86 – PRIME 91 – OVR 89)
A German icon, Michael Ballack had a glittering career. He emerged in 1998 for Kaiserslautern as they won the Bundesliga in their first season after promotion, and after a spell at Bayer Leverkusen he headed to Bayern Munich. With FCB he won three Bundesligas and three German Cups, but the Champions League always eluded him. He reached the final on two occasions with Leverkusen and later Chelsea and also missed out at the World Cup losing to Brazil in the final in 2002.
Pavel Nedved (OVR 86 - PRIME 91 - OVR 89)
A legend for Juventus, left midfielder Pavel Nedved won two Serie A titles with the club, and even stayed with them after they got relegated to Serie B due to the match mixing scandal. Strangely, the Czech hero actually won more silverware with Lazio, claiming Serie A, two Coppa Italias, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Super Cup. Nedved's rise was due to the performance of the national team Euro 1996, where they reached the final and Czech cannon scoring in a win over Italy at the tournament.
Clarence Seedorf (OVR 85 - PRIME 91 - OVR 88)
One of the most decorated Icons, Clarence Seedorf won league titles with Holland, Spain and Italy, and is the only man to win the Champions League with three different clubs, doing so with Ajax, Real Madrid (twice) and AC Milan. Despite his club success, Seedorf never got much individual recognition, with his best prize the UEFA Best Midfielder Award in 2007. He has since had a mixed managerial career, and after spells at AC Milan, Shenzhen and Deportivo La Coruna, he took the helm at the Cameroon national team in August.
Steven Gerrard (OVR 89 - PRIME 91 - OVR 86)
A Liverpool great, Steven Gerrard may have never won a league title during his 17 seasons at the club, but he was at the forefront for their Champions League success in 2005, as well as UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup victories. A complete midfielder, Gerard scored 120 Premier League goals and chalked up over 110 England caps, captaining his country for four years. This season, Gerrard has taken his first managerial position with Scottish Premiership club Rangers.
Fernando Hierro (OVR 86 - PRIME 91 - OVR 89)
One of the great captains, Fernando Hierro won five league titles and three Champions Leagues with Real Madrid. Despite spending most his career as a defender, the Spaniard was also a useful goal scorer, netting over 160 times for club and country. Since retiring after a spell at Bolton in 2005, Hierro has chanced his arm at management, first with Real Oviedo and then stepping in as Spain head coach at short notice for the recent World Cup in Russia.
David Trezeguet (OVR 86 - PRIME 91 - OVR 89)
A prolific finisher inside the box, David Trezeguet finished his career with over 300 goals. The most famous of those was at Euro 2000, scoring the golden goal to win the title for France against Italy. Two years prior, Trezeguet lifted the World Cup as France won the trophy for the first time, with the forward also picking up titles for Monaco and Juventus in his career.
Claude Makelele (OVR 85 - PRIME 90 - OVR 87)
Claude Makelele was such a strong performer; a position was named after him. The ‘Makelele role’ is used to protect the defence, but to be mobile enough to make challenges and interceptions. During his career, the defensive midfielder won league titles in France, Spain and England, with a Champions League also secured during his time with Real Madrid. The five foot six Frenchman now manages Belgian side Eupen.
Frank Lampard (OVR 86 - PRIME 90 - OVR 88)
Steven Gerrard’s great rival was Frank Lampard. The Chelsea hero lifted more silverware than Gerrard, claiming three Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two League Cups, a Champions League and Europa League during his 13 years at Stamford Bridge. Arguably the greatest goal-scoring midfielder of all time, with 274 goals in his career, 147 of those coming in the Premier League. He also surpassed 100 England caps and has also turned to management, now at the helm of Derby County in the Championship.
Juan Sebastian Veron (OVR 86 - PRIME 90 - OVR 88)
Juan Sebastian Veron had it all. He could shoot, pass and tackle. It was why he was the most expensive transfer in English football in 2001, signing for Manchester United from Lazio. Despite winning the Premier League, he only stayed at Old Trafford for two seasons, moving to Chelsea, where he failed to settle and ultimately returned to Italy. With Inter Milan he claimed his second Serie A title, having earlier lifted the title with Lazio and the UEFA Cup with Parma.
Roy Keane (OVR 86 - PRIME 90 - OVR 88)
One of the hardest men in football, Roy Keane captained Manchester United for eight years, in which they won four Premier Leagues and a Champions League. Famous for his rivalry against Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira and fall outs with Ireland manager Mick McCarthy during the 2002 World Cup and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson causing Keane to leave the club. Since retiring, Keane held managerial positions with Sunderland and Ipswich, and has operated as assistant to Martin O'Neill with the Irish national team.
Christian Vieri (OVR 86 – PRIME 90 – OVR 88)
A terrifying forward, Christian Vieri was so dangerous that he was signed 13 times in his career, playing for seven different Serie A clubs. He scored 167 goals in the division, but only won it once, with Juventus in 1997, but he is most renowned for his time with Inter Milan where he stayed for six years, the only club in his whole career where he stayed for more than two seasons. For Italy, the striker netted 23 times in 49 games.
Jens Lehmann (OVR 85 – PRIME 90 – OVR 88)
Jens Lehmann may not be regarded in the top bracket of goalkeepers, but the German was in-between the sticks when Arsenal did the unthinkable and went unbeaten in the 2003/04 Premier League season. Not only did he win the Premier League with the Gunners, but he also lifted the FA Cup and won the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund.
Gianfranco Zola (OVR 85 - PRIME 90 - OVR 87)
A Chelsea icon, Gianfranco Zola was the star of Stamford Bridge before the Abramovich money transformed the club. During his seven seasons in West London, Zola scored 80 goals winning two FA Cups, a League Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. It's easy to forget that he had a successful career before arriving on English shores, winning Serie A with Napoli and UEFA Cup at Parma. After some difficult managerial positions, the Italian is now back with the Blues as assistant to new manager Maurizio Sarri.
Gennaro Gattuso (OVR 85 – PRIME 89 – OVR 87)
A true midfield enforcer, no opponent fancied coming up against Gennaro Gattuso. Nicknamed Ringhio meaning Snarl, Gattuso would produce crunching tackles in midfield, a role that saw him become a regular for AC Milan for 12 seasons, the club he now manages. He won two Serie A titles and two Champions Leagues during his career and was part of the Italy side that went all the way at the 2006 World Cup.
Sol Campbell (OVR 85 - PRIME 89 - OVR 87)
Part of England's golden generation that never managed to go deep into a tournament, Sol Campbell can at least say he achieved a lot at club level. After making a controversial switch from Tottenham, where he was captain, to Arsenal where he would win two Premier League titles including the 'Invincibles' season of 2003/04. The centre back also lifted three FA Cups during his career, one with the improbable Portsmouth, just the second success of the club's history and first since 1939.
Hidetoshi Nakata (OVR 85 - PRIME 88 - OVR 86)
Perhaps the most gifted Japanese, or even Asian, player of all time, Hidetoshi Nakata was a great success in Europe. The attacking midfielder first won Serie A with Roma in 2001, and then a year later was lifting the Coppa Italia with Parma. Unfortunately, Nakata fell out of love with playing the game, and retired from all football age just 29, after spells at Fiorentina and Bolton.