Lionel Messi May Be Replaced as EA Sports' Cover Star for 'FIFA 17'

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi may be about to end his long association with the FIFA video game series, as his contract with EA Sports is set to expire this year.

Messi has appeared on the cover of the last four editions of FIFA, but he is set to be replaced for next year's version, with a new contract looking unlikely, though not impossible, according to French newspaper L'Equipe (via MailOnline).

Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez is among the favourites to succeed the Argentinian, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Barca team-mate Neymar unavailable due to contracts with Konami, a rival of EA Sports.

Jamie Vardy, who has been a revelation for Leicester City, has even made Paddy Power's shortlist to grace the cover (h/t Telegraph). 

[h/t MailOnline]