Australian defender Steph Catley will be the first female footballer to feature on the cover of a FIFA game.
Catley, who played in the 2015 Women’s World Cup, will join Lionel Messi on the cover of the Australian version of FIFA 16.
The 21-year-old was chosen through a public vote that picked her ahead of fellow World Cup players Kyah Simon and Katrina Gorry.
Catley said:
Words can’t describe the excitement I’m feeling about being on the cover of FIFA 16, it’s a dream come true. It’s been a huge year for the Westfield Matildas and getting this recognition from EA Sports and FIFA fans for all our hard work is a great step forward for women’s football on both a local and global scale.
I’ve always been a huge FIFA fan and knowing that I will be playable in the game, as well as being on the cover alongside Lionel Messi, is a career highlight for me.
EA has already revealed that FIFA 16 will feature 12 women’s national teams for the first time, which includes Australia, England and the USA.
Meanwhile, in the UK, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been voted as the FIFA 16 cover star, which has resulted in some interesting responses on social media.
