Pro Evolution Soccer 6 (PES 6), released by Konami in late 2006, remains one of the most celebrated football simulations ever made. Praised for its fluid passing, intelligent AI, and satisfying set-pieces, PES 6 struck a perfect balance between realism and arcade-style fun. Its controls were intuitive yet deep, rewarding both quick reflexes and tactical foresight.
What truly set PES 6 apart was its enduring fan community. Even nearly two decades on, unofficial patches add up-to-date squads, new kits, and stadiums. Modders have created complete overhauls—from modern leagues to women’s football—keeping the engine alive long after official support ended. For many players, firing up PES 6 feels like revisiting a golden era of gaming.
Below is a look at some players who were in their teens or early twenties in PES 6 and are still active at top clubs in 2025. They represent the bridge between that classic era and today’s game.
| Player | Age in PES 6 (2006) | Current Age (2025) | Position (PES 6 Era) | PES 6 Team (2006) | Current Club (2025) | EA FC 26 Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | 19 | 38 | Attacking Midfielder / Right Winger | Barcelona | Inter Miami (USA) | 86 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 21 | 40 | Left Winger / Forward | Manchester United | Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia) | 85 |
| Karim Benzema | 19 | 37 | Striker | Olympique Lyonnais | Al Ittihad (Saudi Pro League) | 85 |
| Luka Modrić | 20 | 39 | Central Midfielder | Dinamo Zagreb | Real Madrid (Spain) | 85 |
| Edin Džeko | 20 | 39 | Striker | FK Teplice | Fiorentina (Italy) | 84 |
| Ángel Di María | 18 | 37 | Winger / Attacking Midfielder | Rosario Central | Rosario Central (Argentina) | 82 |
| Sergio Ramos | 20 | 39 | Centre-Back / Right-Back | Sevilla | Monterrey (Liga MX) | 81 |
| Raúl Albiol | 20 | 39 | Centre-Back / Defensive Midfielder | Real Madrid | Villarreal CF (Spain) | 80 |
| Santi Cazorla | 21 | 40 | Central Midfielder / AM | Villarreal CF | Real Oviedo (Spain) | 75 |
| Javier Hernández | 18 | 37 | Striker | Guadalajara (Chivas) | Guadalajara (Chivas) | 74 |
| Remko Pasveer | 22 | 42 | Goalkeeper | De Graafschap | Ajax (Netherlands) | 74 |
| Roque Santa Cruz | 24 | 43 | Striker | Bayern Munich | Libertad (Paraguay) | 69 |
If we pick an all-star XI from our PES 6 veterans and average their EA FC 26 ratings, we land on an 82 overall:
– GK Remko Pasveer (74) – RB Sergio Ramos (81) – CB Raúl Albiol (80) – LB Santi Cazorla (75) – CM Luka Modrić (85) – CM Ángel Di María (82) – RW Lionel Messi (86) – LW Javier Hernández (74) – CF Karim Benzema (85) – CF Cristiano Ronaldo (85) – CF Edin Džeko (84)
Compare that to the current top team in EA FC 26 (e.g. Manchester City), whose starting XI averages around 86. Our veterans side sits about four points adrift of today’s elite—but remain competitive enough to beat most squads in a head-to-head.
Nearly twenty years after its release, the fact that PES 6’s rising stars still command top-flight ratings shows the enduring magic of both the game and its legends: the longevity of the game is reflected by the players.
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