When you think about today’s modern sport stars of the world, you probably think of individuals like Kobe Bryant, Yao Ming, Tiger Woods, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Eli Manning, right? If you’re any type of sports fan living in America, you’ve heard of every single one of those names at some point in the past few years whether you cared to or not. However, what about Kaká? Ever hear of Sergio Ramos? What about Gianluigi Buffon? Do any of these ring a bell? If your like majority of the folks that live in the States, these names probably don’t mean anything to you. To the rest of the world? These men are living icons.

(Screen from PES 2009 with my…special captions….)

When I first read the press release for Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (formally Winning Eleven in America) earlier this morning, I felt an oncoming need to celebrate…Peter Crouch Style. Even though I have yet to read or hear a confirmed date for the U.S. release, I know it’s coming…but does anyone else in this big ol’ country really care except for me? From my past experiences, I’m going to say yes.

I find it funny yet interesting that while most U.S. sports fan gamers I know don’t really enjoy watching soccer/football on the tube, they sure as heck enjoy playing it on their consoles. I was actually shocked to discover who actually purchased 2006 FIFA World Cup among my friends.

Soccer/Football politics aside, Konami seems thrilled to be announcing this game…and with good reason. According to Konami the new edition has “undergone a stunning graphical update to ensure its players look and move even more like their real-life counterparts”. Soooo…does this mean I can play as Cristiano Ronaldo and cry after I lose a game?

I kid! I kid!

 Here’s another little quip from the press release:

“The announcement of a new PES game is always a highlight for Konami, but PES 2009 looks set to reaffirm the series’ utter superiority,” commented Jon Murphy, PES Project Leader for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “We are committed to extending the realism of the new game with a wealth of key gameplay additions, and will produce a football title that truly embodies all the skill and pace that is good about the modern game.”

Utter superiority? Those are some serious words, Mr. Murphy. Here’s hoping PES 2009 is more than just the standard soccer game with some tedious graphic updates. I wouldn’t say that unless I have been disappointed in the past…in which case, I have. I’m not the only one, either. As with a lot of sports games, coming up with something new and innovating seems pretty difficult in my opinion, but I have faith in the Pro Evo series.

Be on the lookout for it this Autumn (for you Europeans of course) on the following systems: PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360, PC-DVD, PlayStation 2, and PSP.

Anyone else looking forward to this release?

In honor of my passion for the game, I now leave you with a funny Youtube video of some of the best Soccer goal celebrations ever. ENJOY!: