Lionel Messi to be replaced as FIFA’s cover star…possibly by a Real Madrid rival

Nothing says 'the new FIFA game is on its way' like a freshly pressed image of Lionel Messi looking threatening.

But the Barcelona player might have seen his last video game cover, with reports in France suggesting someone new will take his place for the 2017 version. L'Equipe claim the Argentine - an ambassador for the game since FIFA 13, will not renew his deal with developer EA Sports. It seems the door is open for a new cover star, perhaps someone younger than the 28-year-old. With Neymar fronting the latest edition of Pro Evolution Soccer, Spanish outlet FootballFinanzas have suggested EA will turn to a player from Barça's old rivals Real Madrid. James Rodriguez has been in and out of the team under Rafa Benitez, but with Zinedine Zidane taking the reins in the Spanish capital, it could be time for the Colombian to nail down a starting place - both on the real and the digital pitch. But perhaps we should be looking closer to home. Sergio Aguero starred with his international team-mate in a FIFA 16 Christmas advert, so what odds the Man City star takes over from Messi in the leading role.