I bit gutted here, I must admit. Messi has been the cover star for PES since PES 2009, and over the years has been regarded as the best player in the world.

So it’s a bit of a shock to read in the press release that he’s no longer going to be the face of PES:

“This is the start of a major new era for PES,” added Murphy. “In the coming weeks we will detail more on how the ever-popular Master League has evolved, and will be unveiling the new face of the series. With PES moving ever upwards, it is time for an equally high profile and skilled cover star. The new player has all the attributes of the new game, in that he is a strong all-rounder, skillful, fast, and capable of making magic happen on-field. We have had a wonderful three years working so closely with Lionel Messi and thank him for his efforts and support. He has been key in the evolution of the series, and we wish him all the best.”

So long Lionel, it’s been great. *sheds tear*

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Let’s hope the mighty midgets wish for more stadiums in PES2012 is granted. Shy lad isn’t he?

Details of the event have been posted up on the PES facebook page. No other details have been posted, but you can guess why it’s taking place…

More details here, and more pics here.

Anyways, Jon Murphy has updated the official site with some chat on gamescom, photo shoots and community feedback.

To view the news click here!

Sit back and enjoy.

The Torres pic has been seen before on mock covers, but the Messi one is brand new. Check them out and see how they compare.

Remember, click on the pics to enlarge!

People would have noticed a second person in a mo-cap suit in the video released earlier today (at 1min 41secs). The name of the person in question is Billy Wingrove, who is a well known freestyler AND (in a bit of twist) was also involved in the mo-cap session for EA’s FIFA 07!

This perhaps answers a lot of questions that some had regarding how vigorous the mo-cap session was, and if Messi was indeed the only one doing the smooth moves. Knowing that Billy has done this before, and that everyone in the game won’t move like Messi is very reassuring. I could never see Messi doing the defensive/sliding animations!

See more of Billy here.

It seems the source is a site advertising the Be A Star campaign that Konami created, where a fan of the game has the opportunity to feature in the advertising for PES 2010. So after all that, it wasn’t a leak! I mean, its on the official site! By clicking the Spanish language option, you click through a few windows on the competition page, and hey presto there’s the pic! Check here to see it!

It seems the guys in Spain have a head start on us, with casting starting July 17th! So if you’re in Barcelona or Madrid around then make sure you pop over, with your copy of PES 2009 as ‘proof of fan’, and see if you can make the grade!

Discuss (freely) you’re thoughts on all this on the boards by clicking here.

Thanks again to jjoseca for clearing this up for us!

Check out the new pics here!

Thanks to ThomasGOAL for the heads up.

Some nice news on a Sunday afternoon regarding PES and Messi.

In Argentina Konami, with PES 2009 and Messi, have teamed up with a charity to raise money for the dedicated cause. Through running tournaments with entrance fees, the money raised has been given directly to a charity called FAME. Translated (from Familias Atrofia Muscular Espinal), its the abbreviation for Families with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Messi was on hand to play the winner of tournament, which he did just days after the WC Qualifying group match against Ecuador. It’s certainly a pleasant story, with both Konami and Messi showing how gaming and football can come together to help the less fortunate.

Read the story here.

Thanks to forum user fernando_we for the news.

EDIT: Thanks to robbyearon for the link to the video!