​Barcelona have announced a new global sponsorship agreement with Konami, the Japanese digital entertainment publisher and creator of the Pro Evolution Soccer franchise.

FC Barcelona will be the main focus in the latest edition of the PES football series and much to the disappointment of FIFA fans, this deal will give PES exclusive access to Barcelona players and the sole rights to reproduce the Camp Nou stadium when it's released on September 15th, 2016.



Using the Team ID and Player ID systems PES 2017 will aim to reflect both the general and individual style of play of the Barça first team. The team’s characteristic attacking style and even the Club anthem will be implemented.

There will also be special promotions in the popular myClub mode, which will enable users to add players such as Leo Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar Jr to their home squads. PES 2017 will also include FC Barcelona legends in the same mode.
Neymar Jr. PES facial recognition
 In a press conference announcing the sponsorship, President of KONAMI Digital Entertainment B.V., Tomotada Tashiro, couldn't hide his delight at having struck the deal.

"This is a real statement of intent for us. By working closely with a team of Barcelona’s stature we can introduce the PES series to a huge global fan base."


"This partnership will deliver access to the very best players in the modern game and to one of the world’s most respected and ambitious clubs. The PES series is famed for its realism and control, so the fit between such a skilled team and a game that celebrates such ability is perfect," added Tashiro.

Konami and PES will certainly be hoping that this move will enable them to effectively challenge a market that has, for the past couple years, largely been dominated by EA Sport's FIFA series.
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