Here at TheSPORTbible we love reminiscing about past FIFA installments and today we take a trip down memory lane reliving FIFA 2003, in particular looking at the highest rated player in the game.
And unless you're a Serie A aficionado, you'd probably never heard of him.
Forget cover stars; Edgar Davids, Ryan Giggs and Roberto Carlos, as well as Ballon d'Or 2003 winner Pavel Nedved, it was none other than Matteo Brighi.
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(That cover!)
The Italian, who was plying his trade for Brescia before moving to Parma in 2003, was rated an insane 97 which was better than the aforementioned names, not to mention the likes of Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane, to name but a few.
He's since experienced a steadily decline until it picked back up on FIFA 17. Check out his cards over the years starting with FIFA 10 to now:
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FIFA 10
FIFA 11
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FIFA 12
FIFA 13
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FIFA 14
FIFA 15
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FIFA 16
FIFA 17
FIFA 18:
(Spells with Parma then Brescia secured him with a move to AS Roma)
Needless to say, Brighi is somewhat of a FIFA legend.
Though, unfortunately, his career never really took off despite being heralded as one of the hottest properties back in 2002.
Following his exploits in Italy, Brighi bagged the league's young player of the year while earning a call-up for Italy in the UEFA European Under-21 Championships.
He eventually got a shot at the senior's but was unable to replicate his early potential, ultimately getting the four caps for 'Gli Azzurri'.
The central midfielder was a stalwart in his homeland gracing the shirts of some of Italy's finest from Juventus, Parma to AS Roma, among others.
Despite never fulfilling his potential, he'll always have that FIFA card.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Football, Serie A, Italy