'FIFA 17' Cover May Not Feature Lionel Messi

For the cover of FIFA 17, fans can expect that it will no longer bear the image of Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

Goal.com said that Messi, who has been the face of the FIFA cover since 2013, may soon be replaced by rivals in the industry, like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

It also noted that the Argentine player's four-year contract with FIFA has expired, and there are no plans to renew it.

Quoting French newspaper Lequipe, Daily Mail said that there is a possibility to renew his contract with FIFA, but that the association is considering new and fresh faces for the FIFA 17 cover.

Aside from Ronaldo and Neymar, Real Madrid's James Rodriguez is said to be another favorite, since the two players currently have contracts with Konami and Pro Evolution Soccer.

Messi joined US Women's soccer player Alex Morgan on the US cover of FIFA 16, which came out in September for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PC.

"FIFA 16" came with features like the "no touch dribbling" technique of cover star Messi.

According to Time, Messi also shared the cover with Canadian Women's National Team player Christine Sinclair for the game's Canada copies.

Morgan and Sinclair's inclusion in the cover came after EA announced that the upcoming soccer video game "will be the first in the franchise's history to give gamers the option of competing with women's teams," adds the Time report.

Meanwhile, Vine Report said that the "FIFA 17" became the talk of the gaming industry after the great offerings of its predecessor.

It claimed that gamers are expecting that developers will improve on the football simulator of the game, and add an option to control players.

"A pitch and stadium upgrade is one of the greatest enhancements "FIFA" players undoubtedly wish to experience," added Vine Report. This stadium will reportedly be used for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

On the other hand, Red Bull said the commentary for the game should be updated and fresh to make players more interested in listening to it and continue playing the game.

Referees also reportedly need retraining since they are "still overzealous in blowing up fouls."

Red Bull also noted that the referees of FIFA 16 were bad since they were giving free kicks for even the slightest contact among players.

It also observed that cards were given on a random scheme, and only verbal warnings were given to bad slide tackles, so these areas need some improvement.