The world we live in isn’t always fair. Many dream of becoming a professional footballer, but not everyone makes it.
Still, the love for the game doesn’t have to fade. There are countless ways to stay connected to football, whether by watching, analysing, or playing it virtually.
For me, FIFA video games fill that gap. They’ve become more than entertainment; they’ve taught me how to scout talent, manage a team, make budget decisions, and even explore the business side of football.
In many ways, FIFA was my first step into the world of football management and sales, especially through the transfer market.
A Matrix for Football Lovers
There’s a theory that suggests we live in a simulation, that none of this is real.
Creepy, right? I don’t fully believe it, but I can see why video games give that idea some traction.
They let us step into alternate realities and control lives vastly different from our own.
FIFA and Football Manager games are like the “Matrix” for football lovers. Letting players live out their dreams, build careers, and manage clubs, all from a controller or keyboard.
Two standout game modes have surged in popularity: Career Mode and Ultimate Team.
Career Mode lets players become managers, shaping a team’s tactics, budget, and transfer strategy.
I still remember taking Malaga CF from the second division to Champions League glory in FIFA 20.
I built that squad from overlooked veterans and rising wonderkids, sticking with many of them for over a decade.
With smart planning and sharp tactics, we lifted the trophy ten times. It was deeply rewarding.
The Manager Mode Mindset
Career Mode trains you to think like a football manager. You start to understand player potential, role fit, and tactical flexibility.
I always looked for players who could fill multiple positions: Kang-In Lee (CAM, LM, RM), Pedri (LM, CAM), and Jonathan David (CAM, ST) were essential in trying out different formations like 4-4-2, 3-5-2, or 4-2-3-1.
And when players didn’t fit my system, they became valuable assets to trade, teaching me how to balance finances like a businessman.
Club objectives add another layer of realism. I’ve been close to getting sacked multiple times, sometimes for underperforming, sometimes for inheriting a poorly managed squad.
The fictional president of Malaga CF in FIFA 20 probably hates me for spending massive amounts on transfers I never used. But that’s part of the learning experience.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Modern Football Jersey Design and Its Future
Ultimate Team: Football Meets Business and Social Life
I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of multiplayer modes. For me, gaming is a personal escape, like reading a book. But I respect how others use games socially.
Ultimate Team is a multiplayer mode that has taken the FIFA series to another level. It’s also a goldmine for EA Sports.
In Ultimate Team, players build squads using both modern stars and historic legends. The game’s chemistry system encourages strategic thinking about nationalities and leagues.
And features like pack openings and card trading are brilliant marketing strategies that have made this mode a streaming and social media sensation.
Ultimate Team has also fueled the rise of esports, where players compete like digital athletes, using their minds more than physical strength.
Big football clubs like PSG, Fenerbahce, Wolves, and Köln now have official FIFA E-sports teams. It’s a whole new frontier.
MORE FOR YOU: Gaming: Which football game is the best for casual gamers?
From Pixels to Professionalism
What started as a game has had real-world consequences. Some fans have turned into scouts or managers after honing their knowledge through FIFA and Football Manager.
There’s even a real-life European manager who used Career Mode to discover players. He helped scout N’Golo Kanté using the game.
So we shouldn’t underestimate the power of the digital football world.
Whether it’s a simulation or not, those who dream of managing a team have to start somewhere. And sometimes, that start comes from a console, not a coaching course.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Focus Images
Recording Date: 05.10.2024