Lionel Messi to star on cover of EA Sports FIFA for fourth straight year

Messi has appeared on four consecutive covers.

[youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwz98athxQ8]

Lionel Messi will grace the cover of EA Sports' FIFA video game for the fourth straight year, EA announced Monday. 

Messi's appearance on the cover of FIFA 16 caps another stellar season for the Barcelona forward that saw Messi lead his team to La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League titles. 

EA Sports announced its latest cover star on Monday afternoon as it released the first full-length trailer for FIFA 16 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. 

Messi inked a deal with EA Sports in 2012 before making his debut on the cover of FIFA Street 4 that spring. The Argentine star succeeded Wayne Rooney as the face of the franchise after Rooney appeared on seven consecutive covers from FIFA 06 to FIFA 12. 

FIFA 16 is set for release in the United States on Sept. 22. The game will be available for Microsoft Windows, Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. The game will also feature women's international teams for the first time. 

• FIFA 16 adding playable women's national teams for first time

- Christopher Chavez