The new FIFA 20 Ultimate Team Icons to Play

As EA Sports gears up for the release of FIFA 20, one aspect which attracts a lot of attention is the announcement of new Icons in Ultimate Team.

Icons are some of the best players in the history of football and each player has three versions called Stories. Each card reflects a particular time during their career.

They mirror a player’s position and statistics during the time.

In FIFA 19, a fourth version called Icon Moments was released midway through the game and it became certain player’s best version.

Expect Icon Moments or something similar to return in FIFA 20.

Typically, Icons are some of the rarest and most expensive cards to purchase with in-game coins. But new ways to make coins faster make them more accessible.

This means more gamers get to use some of their favourite players growing up in their own Ultimate Team.

With the game releasing on September 27, 2019, we look at the new Icons in more detail.

Zinedine Zidane

Ratings: 91, 94 & 96

Zinedine Zidane has been one of the most requested Icons for several years so the announcement that he will be a part of FIFA 20 got fans excited.

The French midfielder’s three cards are all over 90 rated with well-rounded statistics, meaning that he is bound to give most players an advantage.

Zidane was considered to be one of the most talented players ever as his skill and technique made football look easy.

Both of those factors have been incorporated into his Icon cards as he has well over 90 dribbling and has five-star skill moves.

Zidane’s high physical stats also suggest that it will be difficult to stop him from running through defences and scoring.

He is worthy of being an Icon in FIFA 20 but he looks to be one of the rarest and most expensive players to acquire for your Ultimate Team.

Pep Guardiola

Ratings: 85, 87 & 90

Manchester City’s successful manager Pep Guardiola is also one to try out as he is now an Icon.

The Spaniard quickly went from the academy to the first-team at Barcelona and was a regular part of the starting 11 at the age of 20.

While his highest rated card is 90, his lower-rated cards have similar stats and are more likely to cost less of your hard-earned in-game coins.

This could mean in hundreds of thousands of coins being saved to use for buying other players.

Guardiola was a pivotal part of Barcelona’s team for nearly 10 years including being a part of Johan Cruyff’s ‘Dream Team’.

Cruyff is also a returning Icon in FIFA 20 and it would be intriguing to see both players take to the virtual pitch.

Kaká

Ratings: 87, 89 & 91

Despite only being retired since 2017, Kaká has returned to FIFA as a prestigious Icon.

His inclusion to the game means that there is a Brazilian alternative in the centre attacking midfield position to the likes of Ronaldinho and Pele.

Kaká was the last announced Icon for FIFA 20 but his rating sparked debate.

His highest rated card is 91 but some feel he should have been higher rated especially since the 91-rated card is based on when he was regarded as the best player in Europe.

On a Reddit post questioning Kaká’s rating, one user commented:

“I agree his prime should be higher than 91.”

Nevertheless, the Brazilian was renowned for his fast dribbling and passing ability especially during his time at AC Milan.

It will be interesting to see if he is any good in the game.

Ronald Koeman

Ratings: 85, 88 & 91

Ronald Koeman may be the Netherlands national team manager but he enjoyed a successful playing career and in FIFA 20, players will be able to have him in their teams.

All three of his cards are at centre-back but one thing to note is his shooting. They are all over 80 which is unheard of for a defender in FIFA.

This means you can threaten the opposition’s goal from a distance if you choose to shoot.

The former Barcelona and Ajax player is also another where the lower-rated card may not be such a bad thing.

Koeman’s 88-rated card has slightly worse stats than his 91 but his pace is higher and is most likely to be far cheaper.

The downside is the fact that he is 5-foot 11. It may be short for a centre-back but his good physical stats mean he makes up for it.

Whichever version you want to acquire, Koeman looks to be one of the cheaper new Icons in FIFA 20.

Gianluca Zambrotta

Ratings: 86, 87 & 89

FIFA 20 unveiled more full-back options when it comes to the new Icons and one of them is Gianluca Zambrotta.

Widely considered to be one of the best full-backs in Italian football, Zambrotta was part of the World Cup-winning team in 2006.

As an Icon, his three cards are in three different positions. One is a right-back, one is a left-back and the third is a right wing-back.

All three versions have well-rounded stats suggesting he is as good getting forward to attack as he is when defending.

Zambrotta’s three versions may not be as high-rated as other Icons at 86, 87 and 89 respectively but he may be an expensive purchase simply because of a lack of other Icon options in those positions.

Nevertheless, he looks to be an enticing yet under-the-radar player to try out.

Michael Essien

Ratings: 85, 87 & 89

Before the likes of N’Golo Kante, Chelsea had Michael Essien in the defensive midfield position and was announced as one of the new Icons of FIFA 20.

Essien is one of the more questionable inclusions as Icons in FIFA are players who have retired. Essien is still on the pitch, playing for Azerbaijani side Sabail FK.

Even so, the Ghanian is an anticipated Icon as his stats suggest that he will be difficult for the opposition to go past.

With high defending and high physicality, Michael Essien’s Icon cards may just bully the opposition off the ball.

Even if the opposition somehow gets past him, it may not be for long as his good pace stats mean he will catch up to opposing players.

Chelsea fans may even choose to pair him alongside Kante for a past and present team which may prove to be one of the most difficult central midfield partnerships to get past.

Garrincha

Ratings: 90, 92 & 94

Although many may have not seen him play, he was considered one of the world’s best during the 1950s and 60s.

In FIFA 20, some gamers may have the chance to use Garrincha and experience the exceptional dribbling he was known for.

His three versions are all at right-wing and are all 90-rated or above, giving an insight as to how highly regarded he was.

The Brazilian’s high pace and dribbling stats will mean he will be a nightmare for defenders to cope against.

Garrincha and Pele were two of the stars during their back-to-back World Cup wins in 1958 and 1962.

Brazil never lost a match when the two played and some gamers may want to try replicating that achievement by linking the two up in FIFA 20.

However, Garrincha may be one of the most expensive new Icons and gamers already know how expensive and rare Pele is in previous games.

Kenny Dalglish

Ratings: 87, 90 & 92

‘King Kenny’ is widely regarded as one of Liverpool and Celtic’s greatest ever players.

The Scotsman now makes his way into FIFA 20 as a new Icon and he looks to be a good one at that.

One version is at centre forward while the other two are at striker.

All three have a combination of high pace and high shooting, making him one of the most clinical strikers in the game.

His 92-rated version, however, may prove to be one of the most fun cards to use as his shooting and pace are both over 90.

Those two vital stats may prove to be the difference between winning and losing in Ultimate Team especially since fans of the online mode are becoming more competitive.

Ian Wright

Ratings: 85, 87 & 89

Arsenal and England legend Ian Wright has also made his way into FIFA 20 as an Icon.

The striker was clinical during his time as a player and that looks to be reflected with his three versions.

All three have over 85 shooting which is great but when combined with his high pace, opposing players may find it difficult to stop him from scoring.

Wright also has good physical stats which is something that is rare among strikers in FIFA.

Players are either fast but are not as physical or they are strong but not the quickest, so to have both is a huge positive.

Ian Wright’s Icon cards are certain to be a cheaper alternative to the likes of Ronaldo Nazario but will still provide goalscoring fun for those looking to purchase an Icon striker.

Carlos Alberto

Ratings: 87, 90 & 93

The second inclusion of an Icon fullback is Carlos Alberto and judging by his stats, he may be a more expensive but better right-back than Gianluca Zambrotta.

The Brazilian was in his prime during the 1960s and 70s and was known to be technically gifted.

In FIFA 20, his two best versions are at right-back with unbelievable stats. The combination of high pace, passing, dribbling, defending and physical suggest he is the best right-back in the game.

Carlos Alberto also has an 87-rated version at centre-back which is also pleasing for those looking to improve their defence.

A centre-back with over 80 pace is uncommon in FIFA but when there is one, they are like a wall in front of the goalkeeper.

Carlos Alberto’s overall stats potentially make him one of the most sought after Icons.

Didier Drogba

Ratings: 87, 89 & 91

As soon as Didier Drogba was announced as a FIFA 20 Icon, gamers were immediately excited at the prospect of using him.

The former Chelsea and Marseille striker has a deadly combination of speed, shooting and strength.

Those three stats alone potentially make Drogba one of the most expensive new Icons in the game.

Having the strength to hold players off is a big part of the new game and with Drogba’s high physical stats, only a handful of defenders may be able to stop him.

Those with Drogba may think about putting in crosses as it is likely that the striker will outjump defenders and head the ball into the net.

Andrea Pirlo

Ratings: 88, 90 & 92

Andrea Pirlo enjoyed a long career playing for the likes of AC Milan and Juventus where he showcased his incredible passing.

The midfielder’s passing ability will now be showcased in FIFA 20 as all three versions have over 90 passing.

Pirlo was also known for his free-kicks so that is something also to look forward to.

While he may not be the fastest midfielder to use, Pirlo’s capabilities lie with his ability to pick out strikers making runs.

Even though Pirlo had good dribbling, one thing that was surprising was that he has five-star skill moves.

The Italian was not known to use flashy skills but it is something that will be utilised by players once the game comes out.

John Barnes

Ratings: 86, 87 & 89

There is an abundance of former Liverpool legends in FIFA 20 and John Barnes is yet another.

The former England player has two in the left-wing position while his 86-rated version is a centre attacking midfielder.

Barnes is one player that gamers may sleep on especially his left-wing versions.

Pace is the obvious stat when it comes to wingers but Barnes also has great physical stats, something that most players in the game lack.

This stat potentially means that he will be able to out-muscle defenders while running down the wing.

The same can be said for his 86-rated version as he has the strength to run through the middle and have a shot on goal.

Ian Rush

Ratings: 87, 89 & 91

Ian Rush is one of Liverpool’s greatest ever strikers and is another to take to the virtual pitch as an Icon.

The Welshman enjoyed success at Liverpool, winning five league titles, three FA Cups and a Champions League.

In FIFA 20, he is deserved of his 91-rated prime version which has excellent pace and strong shooting stats.

Like Ian Wright, Rush’s three versions have good physical stats which makes it easier for him to hold off defenders while picking out teammates.

The combination of the three is appealing to gamers especially since Ian Rush will most likely be a mid-priced Icon.

Hugo Sanchez

Ratings: 87, 89 & 92

Mexican striker Hugo Sanchez has been included in FIFA 20 as an Icon, recognising him for his goalscoring feats.

He was one of Real Madrid’s greatest ever strikers during the late 1980s, scoring over 200 goals.

Sanchez was known for his lightning-quick speed and that has been recognised with his Ultimate Team cards. His 92-rated prime card has 92 pace.

His shooting is also very high, around the same rating as his pace.

But one stat which may put gamers off is his composure as it lies around the 50 mark. That is a stat that gamers look for in a striker as they want someone who can put away their chances in front of goal.

Hugo Sanchez’s composure may be off-putting but his other stats suggest he will be enjoyable to use in Ultimate Team.

These 15 new Icons are just a small addition to the already huge pool of Icons that are already in the game.

It is obvious that some will be better than others and therefore more expensive.

But, the wide plethora of former players to choose from will make Ultimate Team squads more varied when FIFA 20 comes out.