EA will dress some of the most famous footballers of the past in skin-tight spandex for Marvel’s upcoming FIFA 23 crossover.
A handful of FIFA 23 players will be transformed into Marvel Superheroes in Ultimate Team in the game. Their FUT Hero Cards – in-game collectibles that first appeared in FIFA 22 and depict iconic moments in players’ careers – will be illustrated by Marvel artists in the style of classic superhero characters.
EA has unveiled five special FUT Hero Cards so far, including those for US Landon Donovan, Ivory Coast Yaya Touré, Portugal’s Ricardo Carvalho, South Korea’s Ji-sunga Park, and Italy’s Claudio Marchisio.
Super strong feet
Each player has been illustrated in a Marvel-esque suit, although the inspiration behind some is easier to identify than others. Donovan’s photo strongly resembles Captain America, while Ji-Sung’s new strap resembles Iron Man’s armor. The Touré project mentions the Wakandan palace, The Citadel, although its costume doesn’t look directly inspired by any character from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
While Marvel is busy bringing more of its classic characters to Disney Plus, EA is getting a bit more creative. Can superpower Landon Donovan take on She-Hulk in battle? Probably not, but he would probably have scored a few more goals on the field.
According EA FAQ (opens in a new tab), special designs will appear on November 11, when the FIFA 23 post-launch mode will be released. Two FUT Hero Cards will be available for each player – a basic version that includes the player’s standard photo and will be included in the game on release; and a special World Cup version that includes better player stats.
However, Marvel FUT Hero cards will only be available to 21 players. We can expect to find out which other players will be treated as superheroes in the run-up to the game’s launch on September 23. The collaboration will also include other in-game elements, including tifos, costumes and balls. A comic book with a binding will even be released.