We can’t wait to test out these set-piece specialists.
Excitement for FIFA 19 is currently at fever pitch.
With the release of the biggest football game of the year just one-week away, FIFA fans continue to be teased by EA Sports in the buildup to the big day.
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The top-10 highest-rated players on the game caused a storm on social media, with opinions on the ratings totally dividing the community.
EA Sports’ latest announcement might well cause even more controversy.
The infamous list of the best free-kicks takers on the game has just been released.
According to FIFA 19, these are the best in the business when it comes to curling, firing or finessing a free-kick into the top corner.
10 Shunsuke Nakamura
Nakamura perhaps surprisingly makes the top 10 list.
What’s more surprising is that the Japanese midfield is actually still playing?!
The 40-year-old was once banging in free-kicks and long-range strikes for fun at both Espanyol and Celtic.
Nakamura can now be found playing for Jubilo Iwata in the J1 League.
From a pure nostalgic perspective, we don’t want to argue with him making the top 10.
Never forget this iconic moment.
9 Paulo Dybala
Dybala is a player who continues to impress with Juventus.
Despite falling out of favour on the international stage, failing to make an appearance for Argentina at the World Cup, the CAM is undoubtedly a special talent.
The 24-year-old is no stranger to firing in a free-kick, however he could face competition from Ronaldo for the set-piece duties this season.
8 Memphis Depay
Depay is a player who we failed to see the best of in the Premier League.
The Man United flop is however now living up to his potential, becoming an instant success since moving to Lyon.
The Dutchman possesses a ruthless ability from dead-ball situation and has a trademark rocket free-kick in his locker.
Depay’s Ultimate Team card already looks insane, with five-star skills moves in particular catching the eye.
His free-kick ability makes him even more of a must-have in this year’s game.
7 Marvin Plattenhardt
Plattenhardt continues to be linked with a transfer to the Premier League and it’s easy to see why.
The Hertha BSC left-back is as reliable as defenders come and has forced his way into Joachim Low’s Germany squad.
A key-part of the 26-year-old’s game is his ridiculous free-kick technique.
With a wand-like left foot, Plattenhardt has earned a spot in the top 10 free-kick takers list, and rightfully so.
6 Parejo
When it comes to the art of the dead ball, Parejo is as good as it gets.
The Spanish midfielder has become an ever-present in the Valencia midfield and it’s easy to seem why.
The 29-year-old possess unbelievable quality from free-kicks, with his signature style a whipping right-footed effort.
Parejo’s impressive 88 passing, partnered with his free-kick ability, makes him a very appealing player in this year’s game.
5 Enis Bardhi
Bardhi will perhaps be relatively unknown to many, however he has all the talent to soon become a household name.
The Macedonian has been a revelation since arriving at Levante last season.
La Liga just wasn’t really for the 23-year-old’s technical ability, in particular from dead-ball situation.
Bardhi is already a full-international and there’s no doubt you will be hearing a lot more about him soon enough.
4 Miralem Pjanic
The second Juventus player to make the list and there’s still no sign Ronaldo.
You don’t need me to tell you just how good Pjanic is.
The Bosnian playmaker has become one of the Old Lady’s most important players in recent seasons, with his free-kick ability making him a strong fans favourite.
Pjanic has a ridiculous talent for curling in free-kicks. CR7 might have to wait his turn this season.
3 Sebastian Giovinco
Nobody really knows why Giovinco is playing in MLS, we don’t think it’s very fair on everyone else.
The Italian has scored goals for fun since he joined Toronto FC in 2015, with his free-kicks in particular his party-trick.
The 31-year-old could easily be playing at the highest level in Europe.
No disrespect to MLS, but Giovinco’s free-kick madness should be taking place in the biggest competitions in football.
2 Hakan Calhanoglu
Having impressed with Bayer Leverkusen, Calhanoglu was snapped up by AC Milan last season.
The Turkish forward didn’t have the best of debut seasons in Serie A, flattering to deceive at times.
One thing that didn’t leave him however was his free-kick ability.
Calhanoglu will hope his set-piece specialist tag and can serve him better in his second season in Italy.
1 Lionel Messi
Messi is the best free-kick taker in football, it’s as simple as that.
The diminutive Argentine has got one over on his old foe Ronaldo, taking the top spot when his rival doesn’t even make the top 10.
The Barcelona man reaffirmed his position as the best in the game after he curled in a free-kick against PSV.
We aren’t going to argue with Messi being number one. Are you?
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Have any new stadiums been added to the game?
FIFA 19 will feature the brand new White Hart Lane stadium, EA Sports has announced.
The deal means Spurs fans will be able to play at their brand-new stadium on both the FIFA 19 demo and the full FIFA 19 game.
The official statement on the club’s website reads: “Tottenham Hotspur has today announced Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA), creator of the EA SPORTS™ FIFA 19 computer game series, as the Club’s Official Video Game Partner.
“EA SPORTS™ previously enjoyed a successful partnership with the Club between 2012 and 2015.”
You can read more about FIFA 19’s stadiums here.
Tell us about the soundtrack?
Sure – you can read all about the FIFA 19 soundtrack here
Will Ultimate Team cards look different?
Yes, FIFA fans may have just got their first look at this year’s Ultimate Team cards – after the design appears to have been leaked online.
The image shows Kylian Mbappe’s card from the upcoming game – complete with a few tweaks that give it a different feel from FIFA 18.
The big change here is the rating, which now in line with the surname, and no longer at the top left. It also features a black background to help it stand out.
Read more about the FIFA 19 Ultimate Team card design here.
Any other leagues?
Italian publication Gazzetta della Sport reported that FIFA 19 will also include the full rights to the Serie A and Coppa Italia.
You can read all about it here
Will it have cross-play?
In an interview with Eurogamer, FIFA’s creative director Matt Prior revealed cross-platform play – much like we’ve seen in Fortnite – was something EA Sports is looking into for their FIFA series.
“It’s something we often talk about,” he said.
FIFA 19 Standard and Champions Editions are available to pre-order from GAME and Amazon
“There are a lot of issues to work through with various first parties. But Fortnite does that now with PC to consoles.”
Read the full FIFA 19 news here.