Football Manager and Championship Manager icons

"I remember him from Football Manager"

Football fans have adored the Football Manager and Championship series ever since the first iteration back in 1992. 

Author - Sophie T 

One remarkable thing about these games has been their ability to predict the successful careers of some of football's greatest players. Many successful virtual careers have matched their real-life equivalents, whereas others are still more well known for their virtual exploits. 

Let's explore the evolution of the games and some of the players that have been must have signings by gamers and real-life football managers.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The Swedish icon is a great example of a player who was well thought of by managers in the games and in real life. In the 2001/2002 edition of Championship Manager, he was scouted by many virtual managers with many then predicting him to have a successful career in real football. You can read about his actual career by reading European Super Football's profile on him.

Cristiano Ronaldo

One blogger documented a virtual career of the now legendary former Manchester United and Real Madrid player. The Championship Manager 2002, this gamer said he joined Newcastle in the summer of 2003 before being loaned to Arsenal in 2007. He seemed to impress in North London, but not Highbury. Tottenham then spent £2m on the 14-times capped Portuguese forward, where he was finally had some limited success. Read this blog here: CM 01/02 - We Went on Holiday for 10 Years & This is What Happened - Pundit Feed

A rare example of a version of the game underestimating a player's ability. After signing for Manchester United in 2003, he won all major trophies, including the Champions League, before moving to Real Madrid in 2009. It was in Spain where he would arguably become one of the greatest-ever players alongside rival Lionel Messi. 

Lionel Messi

In 2006, Messi was only 18, but many were already aware of his ability. In that year's edition of Football Manager,  Sports Interactive reflected this ability in their assessment of the star. The Argentinian had the strongest stats for the young players in that year's game.

Very few would have anticipated that his career would play out like it did. Within 16 years of that game's release, he had won every major available including the 2022 World Cup with his national side.

Wayne Rooney

The forward went onto become the highest goalscorer in the history of Manchester United and England so had a career that matched the early expectations of him but what about his performance in the virtual world? In Football Manager 2008, Rooney was one of the highest rated players in the game. Most of his attributes in the game were rated as being very good. Click here to read the European Super Football icon page on Wayne Rooney.

Taribo West 

The Nigerian was reported to have been one of the most searched and signed players on Championship Manager 2001/2002. At the start of this game, he had just been released by AC Milan so was a free agent on the game and in real life. His career never ite matched his obvious potential or what was predicted in Championship Manager. In his actual career, he played for FC Kaiserslautern, Partizan and Plymouth Argyle.

Ronaldinho

The great Brazilian entertainer had a legendary career, both on the pitch and in his virtual performances on Championship Manager and Football Manager. He was highly rated on Championship Manager 2001/2002 when his career was still developing. At the end of that season, he scored the iconic free-kick against England in the 2002 World Cup, ultimately helping Brazil win the tournament in Japan.

Who remembers this iconic moment from the 2002 FIFA World Cup? youtu.be/GNiMxYb2oTA?...

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— European Super Football (@superfootball.bsky.social) 3 January 2025 at 12:25

John Curtis

In Championship Manager 99/00, former Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers defender John Curtis was described by one gamer as the "English Franz Beckenbauer." Within the game, he became a key figure for United and England. However, in reality, Curtis was swiftly sold to Blackburn Rovers. Although he enjoyed some initial success with the Lancashire side, his career later took a journeyman path, featuring spells at clubs such as Nottingham Forest and Wrexham.

John Rooney 

John was regarded as the more talented brother of Wayne Rooney in Championship Manager 5. However, unlike his brother, he did not quite live up to early expectations. After leaving Everton as a youngster, John Rooney became another Championship Manager hero who embarked on a journeyman career. He spent some time in the MLS before having spells with various English Football League and National League sides. Unlike Wayne, John is still playing football and is currently with seventh-tier Macclesfield.

Freddy Adu 

Another Football Manager legend who never quite made it in real life. Outside of the virtual world, he became the world’s youngest footballer to play senior football, coming on as a substitute for DC United. In 2019, he was voted the greatest Football Manager wonderkid of all time. Despite initial promise, he never quite made it in the professional game. His last meaningful spell anywhere was with MLS side Philadelphia Union in 2012.