Konami Digital Entertainment has revealed that the world’s most expensive soccer player, Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, is to be the face of Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2012 (trailer posted below).

The Galactico midfielder will appear on all packaging and marketing materials, with the company also confirming release dates for the forthcoming PSP (PlayStation Portable), PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii versions of this game.

PES 2012 is released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows PC on 15 October and Konami has now announced that the PSP and PlayStation 2 versions will take to the virtual field on 28 October, with the Wii game to follow on 4 November. The publisher has also confirmed that versions for Nintendo 3DS and iOS formats are also in development, with firm dates to follow.

New features that will be making their way to PES 2012 includes Teammate Control, wherein players can prompt runs or control two players simultaneously, as well as the Active AI system that ensures teammates work to create space and make key attacking and defensive runs.

“Cristiano Ronaldo embodies everything we are trying to achieve with PES 2012,” commented Jon Murphy, European PES team leader. “He is quick, skilful, with an eye for a pass, and devastating in attack. His movement and energy brighten any game, and we are delighted that he has agreed to work with us in the pivotal title in the PES series.”

“I have long admired the PES series, but what KONAMI has achieved this year is remarkable,” Ronaldo enthused. “Football is all about teams working together and making assists and runs that create attacking opportunities. KONAMI has recreated this perfectly, and PES 2012 is a brilliant simulation of a real match. If you know football, you are going to want to spend some time with this amazing game.”

Gamescon showcase

PES 2012 will feature prominently for Konami at gamescom, and the publishers has produced a bespoke demo version for players to experience. The demo will allow users to try out a wide range of the game’s licensed clubs, with a strong mix of club and national teams faithfully recreated.

Konami is keen to show the individuality each team offers in PES 2012, hence the full list of clubs playable at gamescom is as follows:

•             National: England, Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands, Portugal and Germany
•             Clubs: Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Napoli, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Valencia, Villareal, Lille, FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Stade Rennais FC, Ajax, FC Twente, PSV, AZ, FC Porto, Benfica, Sporting, Bayern Munich, Leverkusen, Santos, Peñarol, Club Atlético Vélez, Club Cerro Porteño.

Gamescom will also introduce visitors to key new modes within PES 2012. Football Life showcases the different career paths in the sport, enabling gamers to experience a career as a player, manager or owner. It is an umbrella title spanning the popular Master League and Become a Legend modes, both of which have been enhanced for the new game, but a new addition is the unlockable Club Boss mode, where you steer a club fiscally.

“PES 2012 is the most completed football game to date and gamescom will give us a chance to show the many advances to everyone attending the show,” commented Murphy. “We look forward to seeing people get to grips with all it offers and will be watching closely to see how the many new elements are received.”

In related news Electronic Arts (EA) also revealed its line-up of international football stars (including Wayne Rooney & Kaká) this month, who will assist with the launch of FIFA 12.