Cristiano Ronaldo Announced as FIFA 18 Cover Star, Release Date Revealed

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo has been announced as the cover star of FIFA 18, which will be released September 29. 

EA Sports revealed as much Monday:

Ronaldo takes over from Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus for the cover of the latest instalment of EA Sports' flagship football sim.

“It is a real pleasure to be on the cover of FIFA 18,” said Ronaldo, per a press release. “It’s a great feeling and I am grateful to have been chosen.”

As noted below, it's been quite the year for Ronaldo:

EA Sports also confirmed on their official website there will be limited edition versions of the title released.

One of those is the "Icon Edition," which will allow players to use Brazilian football legend Ronaldo on loan for five matches in their Ultimate Team as well as his namesake for five games. It’ll also give purchasers access to the game three days before the worldwide release on September 29.

The Real Madrid sharpshooter is making his debut on a FIFA cover, having previously appeared on the front of the 2008, 2012 and 2013 editions of Konami's rival Pro Evolution Soccer series.

He's not the first to headline games on both sides of the divide, with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry featuring on FIFA 2004 as well as starring on PES 4 and 5.

Lionel Messi has also featured for both, having made the cover for PES 2009, 2010 and 2011 before appearing on FIFA from 2013 through to 2016. He was among several Barcelona players included on PES 2017's cover.

Ronaldo was the top-ranked player in last year's edition of FIFA with an overall base rating of 94, compared with Messi's 93.

With the forward now set to star solo on the cover—and having helped Real win a UEFA Champions League and La Liga double—he may well enjoy the same status on FIFA 18.

He also received a Team of the Year card in FIFA 17's Ultimate Team mode, which had a staggering maximum rating of 99. 

FIFA 18 will release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 systems.