Latest news with #EASPORTSFC26
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Nintendo Download: A Smashing Good Time: Donkey Kong Bananza is out now!
REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This week's Nintendo Download includes the following content: Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2: Donkey Kong Bananza – The big guy is back – and he's not alone! Explore a vast underground world with Donkey Kong and Pauline by smashing your way through it! With DK's brute force and Pauline's special singing abilities, you can crash through walls, carve tunnels with your fists, punch straight down into the ground and even tear off chunks of terrain to swing around and throw in groundbreaking exploration. Take a deep dive into fun with the Donkey Kong Bananza game – available now on the Nintendo Switch 2 system! Shadow Labyrinth – Navigate an alien maze and consume darkness in this 2D action platformer and genre-twisting alternate take on the iconic PAC-MAN series. On a mysterious planet littered with relics from past wars, Swordsman No. 8 is awoken by a floating yellow orb known as PUCK. You will shift between three different forms – jumping and slashing as the agile Swordsman No. 8, exploring in classic PAC-MAN style as MINI-PUCK, and unleashing devastating power as the mecha construct GAIA. Use these different playstyles to turn the tables on your enemies and grow from prey to apex predator. Shadow Labyrinth launches July 18 on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. A Digital Deluxe edition of the game will also be available, featuring a digital artbook and soundtrack. Pre-order is available now on Nintendo eShop. The Wandering Village – In a world where mysterious plants are spreading all over the earth and emitting toxic spores, a small group of survivors seeks shelter on the back of a giant, wandering creature they call 'Onbu'. Become their leader, build a settlement and form a symbiotic relationship with Onbu to survive together in this hostile, yet beautiful post-apocalyptic world. The Wandering Village is available today on Nintendo Switch. Pre-orders: EA SPORTS FC 26 – The Club is yours in EA SPORTS FC 26. Play your way with the definitive, complete and overhauled gameplay experience powered by community feedback. The new Authentic Gameplay option delivers the most true-to-football experience ever in Career, while the Competitive Gameplay option is driven by refined fundamentals – with added consistency and enhanced responsiveness that is tailor-made for play in Football Ultimate Team and Clubs. Experience Manager Career, new live events and tournament modes, as well as archetypes inspired by the greats of the game with new classes in Clubs and Player Career. EA SPORTS FC 26 launches Sept. 19 on Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-order EA SPORTS FC 26 today and receive exclusive Club and Career rewards. EA SPORTS FC 26 Ultimate Edition is also available for pre-order on Nintendo eShop, giving you up to seven days of early access. Nintendo Music: Activities: Summer Deals at Retail – From now through July 19, save 2 $20 on select Nintendo Switch games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Splatoon 3, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Super Mario RPG, Pikmin 4 and more at participating retailers! Shop deals online now at GameStop. For more information, visit My Nintendo – Nintendo Switch 2 Party with GameTruck Sweepstakes – Enter the My Nintendo – Nintendo Switch 2 Party with GameTruck Sweepstakes 3 from now until Sept. 8 at 11 p.m. PT for a chance to win a two-hour video game party for up to 15 guests! Try out the Nintendo Switch 2 system and celebrate a birthday, corporate event or game night with video games for all ages, high-definition screens and heart-pounding sound systems! For more information, visit Nintendo eShop sales on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2: Check out the full list of deals available this week at Also new this week on Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch 2: WWE 2K25 Standard Edition – Available July 23 Also new this week on Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch: Ad SHOOt Anomaly Collapse Arcade Archives Super Dimension Fortress MACROSS II Be A Bee Beat 'Em Up Collection (QUByte Classics) Bring You Home Cardboard Town Command Under Fire RTS – Available July 18 Cottonville Diluvian Winds Farm Together 2 God Wars Golden Tee Arcade Classics Gym Manager – Available July 18 Hatsune Miku Logic Paint S+ – Available July 23 Jump Up 3D: Mini Basketball Karma City Police – Available July 18 Lethal Cosmic Hunt Majorariatto Duo Bundle Maze: Path of Light Misc. A Tiny Tale – Available July 22 Only Up To Space Peek a Fish! PINEAPPLE: A Bittersweet Revenge – Available July 18 Pro Baccarat – Available July 18 Queen's Garden: French Splendor Collector's Edition Secret Paws – Cozy Offices – Available July 23 Upin & Ipin Universe For news and updates on all things Nintendo, you can also check out the free Nintendo Today! smart-device app. Whether it's news about games, info about your favorite characters, or videos and comic strips — you'll get personalized fun every day. 1 Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required. Not available in all countries. Internet and compatible smart-device required to use app. Data charges may apply. Terms apply. 2 Offer valid 7/6/2025 - 7/19/2025, while supplies last. See participating retailer for details. Savings based on manufacturer's suggested retail price. Actual savings may vary. 3 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States (excluding Alaska, Hawaii and US Territories) who are 13 years old or older. Sweepstakes begins 10:00 a.m. PT on 6/4/2025 and ends at 11:00 p.m. PT on 9/8/2025. To enter, you must (1) have a Nintendo Account (if you do not have a Nintendo Account you can register for one at (2) visit (3) sign in to your Nintendo Account, and (4) redeem 10 Platinum Points per entry at the My Nintendo – Nintendo Switch 2 Party with GameTruck Sweepstakes page ( as stated in Official Rules. There will be two (2) winners. Each winner will receive one (1) 2-hour video game party package for up to 15 participants (ARV $499.00). Total ARV of all prizes: $998.00 USD. A Nintendo Account is required to receive and redeem points. Terms apply ( Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Details and restrictions apply. For Official Rules, visit Sponsor: Nintendo of America Inc., 4600 150th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052. NINTENDO SWITCH ONLINE Nintendo Switch Online is a paid membership service that allows members to team up or face off online in compatible Nintendo Switch games like Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Splatoon 3, and Nintendo Switch 2 games like Mario Kart World. Members also enjoy a curated library of classic NES, Super NES and Game Boy games, including Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Metroid and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, among many others. Nintendo Switch 2 players can use the GameChat feature to connect with friends through voice, video or screen sharing (terms and requirements apply, visit Those without a Nintendo Switch Online membership can still join the fun during the Open-Access Period, ending March 31, 2026. Additionally, members can access the Nintendo Music smart-device app to stream or download Nintendo soundtracks, create playlists, browse music by different categories and more. To find out more about the benefits that come with Nintendo Switch Online, to view membership options and to learn about a free seven-day trial for new users, visit NINTENDO SWITCH ONLINE + EXPANSION PACK With a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, players get access to even more benefits, including a library of Nintendo 64 games with added online play for up to four players (additional accessories may be required for multiplayer mode; sold separately), a library of select Game Boy Advance games, retro SEGA Genesis games, Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise DLC, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC and Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion DLC (full version of game required to use DLC for that game; sold separately). Nintendo Switch 2 players can also access a library of classic Nintendo GameCube games, enhanced features for compatible Nintendo 64 games and upgrade packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (full version of games required to use content for that game; sold separately). NINTENDO eSHOP Nintendo eShop is a digital store that features a wide variety of content, including new and classic games, applications and demos. Users can add money to their account balances by using a credit card or purchasing a Nintendo eShop Card at a retail store and entering the code from the card. All funds from one card must be loaded in Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch family of systems or Nintendo Switch 2. Customers in the U.S. and Canada ages 18 and older can also link a PayPal account to their Nintendo Account to purchase digital games and content for the Nintendo Switch family of systems or Nintendo Switch 2 both on-device and from the Nintendo website. PARENTAL CONTROLS AND MORE Remember that Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 both feature parental controls that let adults manage the content and features their children can access, including GameChat. Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 players who register a Nintendo Account gain access to free-to-start games and free game demos from Nintendo eShop, and also get the latest news and information direct from Nintendo. For more information about parental controls and other features, visit or Note to editors: Nintendo press materials are available at a password-protected site. To obtain a login, please register on the site.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Bayern Munich Sign Multi-Year Partnership With EA SPORTS FC
Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala will feature on the cover of EA SPORTS FC 26. (Photo by Andrew J. ... More Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) Bundesliga club Bayern Munich has signed a multi-year partnership with video game makers EA SPORTS FC. The deal replaces a previous agreement with video game makers KONAMI. As a result, Bayern's Allianz Arena wasn't part of Electronic Arts' successful football video game franchise. "We are incredibly proud to welcome FC Bayern München as an exclusive partner of EA SPORTS FC,' James Taylor, Director of Football Partnerships at EA SPORTS, said in a statement. 'As one of the most iconic clubs in world football—with a legacy of excellence, a global fanbase, and an unmatched influence on the sport—FC Bayern München represents the very best of the game. It's a privilege to bring their story, players, and passion to life for millions of fans in EA SPORTS FC 26 and beyond." Although Bayern players and the badge were always correctly displayed thanks to the EA SPORTS FC Bundesliga partnership, the Allianz Arena wasn't part of the deal. That's going to change now going forward. 'Passion, commitment, and emotion are the hallmarks of football, both on the pitch and in the virtual world—and the gaming community is growing with every move,' Executive Vice Chairman of FC Bayern Michael Diederich said. 'We at FC Bayern are all excited to share these attributes with our new partner EA SPORTS FC. Together, we want to further expand our interaction with the next generation of football fans: on the pitch and on the game console." As part of the deal, Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala will feature on the cover of EA SPORTS FC 26 alongside Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham this year. Furthermore, the FC Bayern Women's team will also now feature as part of the game. 'I'd play the game with my friends, my dad, and my sister. These players—Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo—were untouchable in my eyes,' Musiala said in an interview with The Athletic that was published simultaneously with the cover release by EA SPORTS FC.' I'd watch their skills, then go out to the garden or the park, dribbling through cones, seeing what I could learn from them. So this is a big moment for me, a dream come true.' Musiala is the first Bayern Munich player to be on the cover of EA Sports flagship video game and the first Bundesliga player since Marco Reus in 2017. The Bayern Munich playmaker signed a new contract with Bayern Munich earlier this year that is considered the most extensive package in the history of the Rekordmeister. Although Musiala will be available for selection in EA SPORTS FC 26, the 22-year-old will be missed on the real field for the foreseeable future. Bayern's new no.10 suffered a serious ankle injury at the FIFA Club World Cup this summer that will keep him out for an expected four to five months.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Club Is Yours With EA SPORTS FC™ 26: Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala Revealed as Cover Stars of EA SPORTS FC'S Most Community-Driven Title
First look at EA SPORTS FC 26 gameplay revealed in new trailer, showcasing innovations powered by community feedback, available worldwide on September 26 REDWOOD CITY, Calif., July 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) announced generational talents Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala as the cover athletes for EA SPORTS FC™ 26 and EA SPORTS FC Mobile, while also revealing a first-look at EA SPORTS FC 26 gameplay, ahead of its worldwide launch on September 26, 2025. WATCH: EA SPORTS FC 26 REVEAL TRAILER Bellingham and Musiala join Zlatan Ibrahimović, who was unveiled as the cover star for EA SPORTS FC 26 Ultimate Edition earlier this week, to usher in a new chapter for EA SPORTS FC that's powered by FC community feedback. Bellingham returns to the cover of EA SPORTS FC, following his debut last year, and is joined by former youth teammate Musiala, who stars as the first FC Bayern Munich player to ever feature on a global EA SPORTS FC cover. "It's really nice to share this moment with Jamal, as a reflection of how far we've come. I remember our times rooming together in the England Youth team, we'd play the game all the time," said Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham. "Where I'm from, everyone knows the game, everyone plays it and talks about it so much. I'm grateful to be given the opportunity to be on the cover again." "When I found out I'd be on the cover of FC, it was such a crazy feeling. I thought, how could I tell my little brother? He's a big fan of the game, so this will be a nice surprise for him," said Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala. "It's something I always wanted growing up and it's such a big part of football culture. Who knows, maybe I can still beat Jude at FC." EA SPORTS FC 26 IS SHAPED BY YOUR FEEDBACK Play your way with new game-wide innovations and an overhauled gameplay experience, powered by feedback from the FC Community, including: Refined Gameplay Fundamentals: EA SPORTS FC 26 delivers a variety of game-wide changes, including improved dribbling responsiveness and fluidity, re-tuned run curves for more explosive player movement, all new reinforcement-learning-driven goalkeeper positioning, close-body volumetric animations, new, more versatile Playstyles and Player Roles, and much more. Authentic & Competitive Gameplay Presets: The new Competitive Gameplay preset—driven by refined fundamentals, added consistency, and enhanced responsiveness—is tailor-made for play in Football Ultimate Team™ and Clubs, while the Authentic Gameplay preset delivers the most true-to-football experience ever in Career. Experience Manager Career Like Never Before: Step into the exhilarating world of Manager Live, a new dimension added to the mode through a live hub bursting with ever-changing variable-length Challenges. Alongside Original Career and Live Start Points, Manager Live hosts regularly released scenarios throughout the new season curated around the real world of football, giving players the next thing to go after in their careers. Archetypes: A brand-new feature to FC 26, Archetypes has been inspired by the greats of the game, introducing new classes to Clubs and Player Career, bringing more individuality to players. Develop your abilities by upgrading attributes and unlocking Archetype Perks to give your player a distinct feel on the pitch. New Live Events and Tournament Modes: In FC 26, fans will be able to put their dream squads to the test in Football Ultimate Team with new Live Events and Tournament modes, as well as a refreshed Rivals and Champs experience. Unrivalled Authenticity: EA SPORTS is proud to bring unrivalled real-game authenticity in EA SPORTS FC 26 with over 20,000 athletes, across 750+ clubs & national teams, playing in more than 120 stadiums and 35+ leagues, powered by the support of more than 300 global football partners. "FC 26 reflects our ongoing commitment to building this game with and for our community," said John Shepherd, VP & GM, EA SPORTS FC. "We are players too, and that shared passion drives everything we do. This year brings an overhauled gameplay experience, new Tournaments and Live Events in FUT, all-new Archetype customization in Clubs, and a Career Mode that comes alive through evolving Challenges. We can't wait for players to feel the difference this September and help shape the future of FC." To further deepen its community-first approach, EA SPORTS has launched FC Feedback: a new initiative that empowers players to contribute directly to the evolution of EA SPORTS FC, building on a year of features in FC 26 informed by community input. This brings together multiple ways players can share input, including the Player Feedback Portal, community-led Design Councils, the FC Discord Server, Forums, and social media. In celebration of the cover reveal, fans who play EA SPORTS FC Mobile between July 17-31 will receive a special 102 OVR Jude Bellingham Player Item and 102 OVR Jamal Musiala Player Item✝. July 17 will also see Zlatan Ibrahimović make his return to FC Mobile as an ICON, letting players recruit him to their club, while also being able to relive key moments from his legendary career in ICON Chronicles. With the Rivals Update, EA SPORTS FC Mobile recently introduced gameplay improvements to Ground Passing and VS Attack informed by user feedback, resulting in a more authentic and consistent competitive experience. PRE-ORDER EA SPORTS FC 26 TODAY Pre-orders are now available for EA SPORTS FC 26, which will launch on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Amazon Luna, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. EA SPORTS FC 26 will be available worldwide to play on September 26, 2025, with early access through the Ultimate Edition beginning September 19, 2025*. EA Play** members, the Club is Yours in EA SPORTS FC™ 26 with the EA Play 10-hour early access trial, starting September 19, 2025. Members also score member rewards including monthly Ultimate Team™ Draft Tokens and seasonal club rewards, as well as receive 10% off EA digital content including pre-orders, game downloads, FC Points, and DLC. For more information on EA Play please visit For more information on EA SPORTS FC 26, please visit and ensure you're following our global social channels for all the latest upcoming news and announcements for EA SPORTS FC. *Conditions and restrictions apply. Offers may not be available on all platforms and/or all territories. See for details.✝Conditions and restrictions apply. See for details.**Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See EA Play Terms for details. PRESS ASSETS ARE AVAILABLE AT About Electronic Arts Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers. In fiscal year 2025, EA posted GAAP net revenue of approximately $7.5 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS FC™, Battlefield™, Apex Legends™, The Sims™, EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL, EA SPORTS™ College Football, Need for Speed™, Dragon Age™, Titanfall™, Plants vs. Zombies™ and EA SPORTS F1®. More information about EA is available at EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS FC, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Apex Legends, The Sims, Dragon Age, Titanfall, and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL, and F1 are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. Category: EA Sports View source version on Contacts EA SPORTS FC NewsroomFCNewsroom@ Se produjo un error al recuperar la información Inicia sesión para acceder a tu portafolio Se produjo un error al recuperar la información Se produjo un error al recuperar la información Se produjo un error al recuperar la información Se produjo un error al recuperar la información
New York Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Jamal Musiala exclusive: ‘Ronaldinho, Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo were untouchable in my eyes'
Munich, Germany. The woman at the front desk explains the rules of entry: no leaks, no tweets and, above all, a strict no-photographs rule. So strict, in fact, that you have to hand over your phone for the relevant people to put a sticker over its camera lens. It's a sunny Wednesday afternoon in mid-May and, at the entrance to the FGV Schmidle studios, guests are asked to sign a legally binding confidentiality agreement. Everything has to remain top secret until the big release date. The curtains are pulled tight and, in these moments, we are reminded that a lot has changed in the world of Jamal Musiala, superstar. Advertisement What nobody could have known at the time was that, two months on, Musiala would find out how cruel this sport can sometimes be. A loose ball, a chase, a collision and, finally, the snap — the terrible moment when he went down, shouting in distress, during Bayern Munich's quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup. When he looked down, Musiala could see his foot pointing in entirely the wrong direction. He had broken his fibula. His ankle was fractured and his ligaments were ruptured. And then came the blur of fear and almost unbearable pain. Today, the secret is out and Musiala can be revealed as the cover star for EA SPORTS FC 26 — football royalty, in modern terms — alongside Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid. This is why The Athletic was invited to Munich eight weeks ago to see Musiala filming the promotional material. He was happy, amiable, and generous with his time. And to sit opposite him during those moments was to understand why it meant so much to him. Imagine being a kid who grew up playing this football-simulation game, dreaming that one day he might join the small band of A-listers to be selected for a place on the front cover. 'I was that little kid,' Musiala explained. 'Growing up, I'd see my idols on the cover. It seemed impossible to think that one day I'd be in their position. 'I'd play the game with my friends, my dad and my sister. These players — Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo — were untouchable in my eyes. I'd watch their skills, then go out to the garden or the park, dribbling through cones, seeing what I could learn from them. So this is a big moment for me, a dream come true.' Yet this was never how the big reveal was supposed to happen. Not with Musiala recovering from an operation to put his leg back together again. Not with a long period of rehabilitation and uncertainty ahead of him. Not with doctors estimating it will be November, at the earliest, before he can play again. Advertisement 'Thank you for all the love and support — it's nice to see how the football world comes together at a time like this,' Musiala confirmed on social media. 'I really appreciate it. The surgery went really well. I'm in good care. I'm going to use the next period to build up my strength and positivity again.' Julien Lanfrey, athlete marketing director at EA SPORTS, mirrored Musiala's confidence. 'Jamal is an incredibly talented player and has a huge future ahead of him, which is just one of the many reasons he was chosen to feature on our cover,' he said. 'We're excited to see him back on the pitch as soon as possible and wish him a full and speedy recovery.' Musiala's love for football was developed in Fulda, a small city of 69,000 people, 250 miles north of the part of Bavaria he now calls home. His junior team was called TSV Lehnerz and, right from the start, the youngster demonstrated the balance and lightness of touch that led, many years later, to him becoming known as 'Bambi' among his Bayern team-mates. 'It was Leroy Sane who gave me that nickname,' said Musiala, with a smile. 'It kinda stuck. But I was a lot smaller as a kid. My dad had a crazy love for football, and still does. He really pushed me. 'I remember playing in games and tournaments in Fulda when the other boys were two years older than me. I always had to deal with bigger and stronger opponents. 'My first football memory, though, was being asked to be the linesman. I was six years old, standing with the flag on the touchline, and it must have looked quite funny. But I guess it showed that, even as a very young kid, I must have understood the game.' The family lived in an apartment block on one of the busiest routes in and out of Fulda. His primary school was almost directly across the four lanes of traffic and his first football coach, Branko Milenkovski, was a former Macedonia youth international. Life was good. So was it slightly unnerving, scary even, when his parents broke the news to their son, at the age of eight, that they were leaving Germany to start a new life in England? To a lot of kids, it would have been, yes. Musiala, however, took it all in his stride — and that ability, even at a very young age, to cope with new challenges might be useful, to say the least, in the coming months. Advertisement 'At the time, I was just excited,' he said. 'I remember telling my mum I'd be really happy to move and try something new. 'I didn't speak any English when we arrived and my first couple of months were quite tough because I didn't understand much at all. But I adapted quickly. I liked my new life and when you are around people who are speaking the language, you pick it up 10 times quicker.' His mother, Carolin, had a place at the University of Southampton and it was not long after arriving on the south coast that Musiala was invited to enrol, on schoolboy terms, with the city's football club. Carolin was taking a bachelor's degree in social sciences and, as she continued her studies, it required the family to move again, this time to London. Musiala went to the same school, Whitgift in Croydon, as Callum Hudson-Odoi, who was two years above him and part of Chelsea's academy system. It was not long before Chelsea's talent-spotters became aware of Musiala's potential, too. 'It (football) helped a lot in terms of making friends and settling in,' Musiala recalled. 'We played every lunchtime, every break, and when I went to Chelsea, I had friends from the same school who were there at the same time. 'Mika Biereth, who now plays for Monaco, is another one from Whitgift and one of my closest friends. Michael Olise was at Chelsea at the same time, which is funny, bearing in mind we now play together at Bayern. I was in the same group at Chelsea as Tino Livramento, who is now at Newcastle United, and I was happy in London. 'It wasn't planned that we would leave England to go back to Germany. I had just finished my school exams and I was enjoying being at Chelsea. But then Bayern came in and, again, it just felt right to try something new. 'I knew how big Bayern were and, in the end, I just thought, 'Why not? Take the chance — go for it, and let's see if it works out'. I never try to think too much about what could go wrong in these moments. I'd much rather trust myself and go with the flow.' Advertisement What has happened since must grieve Chelsea, given that Bayern managed to secure a superstar-in-the-making, aged 16, for a mere £170,000 ($230,000 at current rates) in compensation. Six years on, Musiala is a five-time Bundesliga champion and has twice been named Germany's national team player of the year, as well as being the joint-leading scorer at last summer's European Championship. This is the man — or boy, perhaps — who helped Bayern win the 2020 Club World Cup in Qatar at the age of 17 and, when the victorious team returned home, had to rely on a lift from his mother to get to training (in Germany, you must be 18 to hold a driver's licence). To see Musiala close-up, however, is to realise there is nothing particularly showy or big-time about him (even on the set of a photoshoot where there are body doubles, Hollywood-style, for him and Bellingham). He manages to be confident and assured yet also quietly spoken and unaffected, it seems, by stardom. 'From those early days playing together, to now being on the biggest stage, it's been an incredible journey,' said Bellingham, speaking to EA SPORTS. 'Being on the FC cover last year was a massive achievement, and to be alongside Jamal this year — that's something I'll never take for granted.' In 2017, he and Bellingham posed together for a picture, as team-mates and room-mates for England's under-15s, that would go viral years later when they started competing in European Championships and World Cups. A lot has happened in both their lives since then and, in Musiala's case, that involved switching to Germany's national team, shortly before his 18th birthday, to play for the country of his birth. 'It wasn't an easy decision,' said the former England Under-21 international. 'I still have a lot of love for England and a lot of my closest friends are from there. But it was a decision that me and my family made together. Advertisement 'It could have gone either way but, in the end, we made a good decision. It felt right, but that doesn't mean the love I have for England has ever gone away.' Since then, Musiala has made 40 appearances for Germany, establishing himself as one of the most watchable players in international football — quick feet, supreme balance and an almost old-fashioned desire to go past opponents. 'As a kid, the players I loved watching were the ones who brought me joy and excitement. That was the kind of player I wanted to be. I just want to be on the ball. To be free, have fun, enjoy myself and have the skill and technique to dribble past players.' At school in England, Musiala liked to play chess. He liked how you had to think one step ahead and that, just like on a football pitch, it required an appreciation of space to work out what his opponent might do. Don't be fooled, though, by the slight frame, the nimble feet and the tricks and turns. Behind that polite, boyish exterior, there are competitive fires smouldering behind Musiala's eyes. And they never burn more brightly than when the subject turns to Bayern's status as 34-time German champions and, as such, the exceedingly high expectations to deliver silverware every season. Ask Musiala to name the best footballer he has ever played with and he identifies the man who, perhaps more than anyone, epitomises the attitude that winning for Bayern is a necessity, not an option. 'I will give that to Thomas Muller,' Musiala said of the player who has just ended his 25-year association with Bayern. 'I've learned so much from him — so many little bits of advice — and I've had so much fun playing with him. There are so many players I could say, but Thomas is at the top.' And his hardest opponent? Musiala needed a few seconds to decide before nominating Antonio Rudiger, his Germany team-mate. 'We played against Real Madrid in the Champions League and that was quite tough,' he recalled. 'I've known him for quite a few years. And, yeah, it's not nice to play against him.' Advertisement Briefly, there was a moment of self-reflection from Musiala and an admission that 'in big games, I still feel I can take an extra step forward'. Others might think he is being a little unfair on himself, especially given his standout performances for Germany at Euro 2024. Maybe, though, this is just a key part of what it takes to be an elite player: never to be satisfied, always to want more. Last season, Bayern re-established themselves as Bundesliga champions for the 12th time in 13 seasons, having lost out the previous year for the first time in over a decade. 'That was hard,' said Musiala, recalling the title triumph of Bayer Leverkusen in 2023-24. 'As soon as I broke through at Bayern, in and around all these great players, I realised what was needed to play for the club and what was expected of you. So that (disappointment) gave us that extra push we needed last season. 'We knew we needed to do a lot more to get back on the stage, lifting the trophy. That's what we did. And now we are champions again, we will have to play with even more hunger next season. Because that feeling of lifting the trophy is something we want again.' As he uttered these words, Musiala sounded bright, positive, and very much up for the challenge. Nobody could have foreseen the misfortune that would come his way on a football field in Atlanta, Georgia, 12 days before his big announcement. It is a sport of exhilarating highs and excruciating lows. But he will be back on our screens soon, as a footballer and a cover star. EA SPORTS FC 26 will be released on September 26 (Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; Frederico Parra / Getty, Daniel Kopatsch / Getty, Alex Grimm / Getty)
