Barcelona and Argentinean striker Messi had been the face of FIFA's big rival franchise Pro Evolution Soccer, gracing their cover in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Lionel Messi has a struck a multi-year deal with Electronic Arts to become the new face of FIFA, making his debut on the cover of the upcoming FIFA Street release in March 2012. Messi, probably now the world's biggest and most popular footballer, will now grace the cover of the world's biggest and most popular football console game. He will likely make the cover of FIFA 13 in the UK alongside Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney. Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere had that honour this year but he is likely to be bumped for Messi. Barcelona and Argentinean striker Messi had been the face of FIFA's big rival franchise Pro Evolution Soccer, gracing their cover in 2009, 2010 and 2011, though he didn't make this year's cover as he was replaced by Real Madrid's Cristano Ronaldo. FIFA 12 sold 3.2 million copies in the first five days on general release and the signing of Messi is just another blow to Pro Evo and Komani's dwindling series. FIFA Street, the most authentic street football game ever made and described by IGN as "Effortless Magic", is available to download as a demo on Tuesday February 28th for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system at the Xbox Live Marketplace. It will also be available on February 29th on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system at the PLAYSTATION Store.