Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most recognizable athletes globally. In sports video games, accurate facial representation is crucial for immersion, player identification, and perceived quality. PES 2021, the final iteration of the long-running Pro Evolution Soccer series before rebranding to eFootball, was praised for its player likenesses. This paper focuses specifically on Ronaldo’s in-game face, evaluating its fidelity and the ecosystem of user-generated improvements.

While Konami provided official updates during the game's active cycle—including a notable "fresh look" in Data Pack 2.0 featuring his close-shave haircut—the community has taken realism much further. Top Modern Face Mods (2024–2026)

. While the official game support has ended, the modding community continues to release highly detailed face updates to keep his appearance current as he plays for Portugal national team Official vs. Community Updates Official Face (Juventus Era):

Digital Realism and Iconic Representation: A Case Study of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Facial Model in eFootball PES 2021

Modding communities for PES 2021 have further refined Ronaldo’s face, offering updated facepacks and shader tweaks that correct proportional issues and enhance hair realism. These community efforts highlight both the strengths of Konami’s base model (a solid foundation to build from) and the appetite among fans for ever-closer digital likenesses.

The world of sports gaming has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, with developers continually striving to create more realistic and immersive experiences for players. One crucial aspect of this realism is the accurate representation of athletes' physical appearances. This paper focuses on the facial likeness of Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most recognizable athletes globally, in the popular soccer video game, Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2021.