Legend Mode: 10 tips to go from prospect to eternal legend

In Legend Mode you create a 17-year-old player and take him season by season until he retires. Every decision counts: where you play, how you train, what you say to the press and what you spend your money on. These are the tips that make the biggest difference.

1. Choose a club where you'll play

At the start, each club shows your expected role: starter, rotation or substitute. Signing for a giant sounds great, but if you play few matches before the age of 24 your growth slows down. In the first seasons, minutes are worth more than the badge.

2. The first seasons matter most

Growth is fast until 21, stays good until 23 and slows down afterwards. From 30 on, physical decline begins. Use the early years to climb as high as you can.

3. Your average match rating drives your growth

At the end of each season, your average match rating adds to or subtracts from your growth. Above 6.8 you grow more; below it, less. Play the key moments well.

4. Use pre-season wisely

Before each season you choose a plan:

• Light: less progress, no risk.
• Normal: balanced.
• Intense: about 25% more progress, but with a risk of injury at the start of the season.

You also choose an attribute to focus on. Almost half the improvement goes to that attribute and the rest is spread according to your position, so pick the one that weighs most in your rating.

5. Know your ceiling

Every player has a hidden potential. As you get close to it, growth slows down, and above an 86 rating it's even harder. Reaching 90 is possible, but it takes a very good career.

6. Key moments are played with your attributes

In each match there's a play where you decide: shoot, pass or take on your man if you're an attacker; intercept or play out if you're a defender; rush out or stay if you're a goalkeeper. Your attributes set the difficulty of the mini-game, so choose the option you're best at.

7. Watch what you say to the press

After some matches you face a press conference. Each answer has different consequences for your fame, your morale, the dressing room and the coach's trust, and the next day the news shows how your words landed. Fame brings better offers and sponsorships; the coach's trust gets you minutes.

8. Spend wisely in the shop

With your salary you can buy upgrades. The best ones early on are the personal trainer (you grow more each pre-season), the nutritionist (halves the injury risk of intense training) and the physiotherapist. Luxuries raise morale and fame, but save them for when you earn well. After 30, the hyperbaric chamber slows your decline.

9. Choose your offers well

At the end of each season, offers from other clubs may arrive. A bigger club gives you more visibility, international cups and a better chance of a national team call-up, but check the role again: too big a jump can leave you on the bench.

10. Collect legend points

Legend points measure your legacy: matches, goals, assists, your average rating, national team caps and goals, titles, individual awards and some special purchases. They move you up the tiers: Prospect, Professional, Undisputed starter, Star player, Star, World-class, Legend and Eternal legend. When you retire, your career is saved in the Hall of Fame.

When does retirement come?

Retirement is mandatory at 40, or earlier if from 34 on your rating drops below 64. That's why it pays to reach your thirties with a high rating: the higher you are, the more extra seasons you can play.