Sources
Facts, sources and estimates
Each real fact in a scenario is listed with its source, the date it refers to and a status: verified, range (sources disagree) or unverified.
What is a game estimate
- Player abilities, potential, traits and playing styles.
- Club strengths (built from the previous season's table, continental results and reputation, without hindsight), wages, transfer fees in what-if moves, tax rates, money-market pull and commercial values.
- Fixture counts in each competition, which follow typical formats rather than historical fixture lists.
League membership comes from English Wikipedia season pages. Previous-season tables and continental results were read through a summarising fetch tool and checked for internal consistency, not against a second source.
- Internacional 27 apps / 12 goals; Milan 62 apps / 27 goals to June 2009 (verified): Wikipedia: Alexandre Pato, as of 2009-06, checked 2026-10-12.
- At most 5 caps and 1 goal by 30 June 2009 (range): Wikipedia: Alexandre Pato, as of 2009-06, checked 2026-10-12. Wikipedia year table does not split 2009 by month.
- Milan rejected a "monster offer from England" (club not named); contract to 2012 (verified): Sports Illustrated (Jun 2009), as of 2009-06-25, checked 2026-10-12.
- 13 muscle injuries at Milan, Jan 2010 to Aug 2012 (verified): Panorama (Aug 2012), as of 2012-08-22, checked 2026-10-12.
- Won the Recopa Sudamericana with Internacional in June 2007 (verified): Emol (Jun 2007), as of 2007-06-07, checked 2026-10-12.
- Last match 20 Sep 2023 (São Paulo); no formal retirement announcement; said in July 2025 he no longer plays (verified): Trivela / TuttoMercatoWeb, as of 2025-07-24, checked 2026-10-12.
- 500 (verified): Wikipedia: Alexandre Pato, as of career ended 2023, checked 2026-10-12. All competitions.
- 188 (verified): Wikipedia: Alexandre Pato, as of career ended 2023, checked 2026-10-12.
- 1 (verified): Wikipedia: Alexandre Pato, as of 2009-06, checked 2026-10-12. Italian title 2010–11. State titles not counted.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia: Alexandre Pato, as of 2009-06, checked 2026-10-12.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia: Alexandre Pato, as of 2009-06, checked 2026-10-12.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia: Alexandre Pato, as of 2009-06, checked 2026-10-12.
- 24–27 (range): Wikipedia: Alexandre Pato, as of 2013, checked 2026-10-12. Year rows add to 24; Wikipedia's stated total is 27.
- 10 (verified): Wikipedia: Alexandre Pato, as of 2013, checked 2026-10-12.
- 8 (verified): Wikipedia: Alexandre Pato, as of 2009-06, checked 2026-10-12. Internacional, Milan, Corinthians, São Paulo, Chelsea, Villarreal, Tianjin, Orlando City.
- 34 (verified): Trivela / TuttoMercatoWeb, as of 2025-07-24, checked 2026-10-12.
- 13 (verified): Panorama (Aug 2012), as of 2012-08-22, checked 2026-10-12. 68 official matches missed.
- 31 apps, 5 goals for Sporting in 2002–03 (all competitions) (verified): Wikipedia: career achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo, as of 2002–03, checked 2026-10-12.
- Joined Manchester United on 12 Aug 2003; fee reported as £12.24m (package) (range): Sky Sports (2003), as of 2003-08, checked 2026-10-12. Sky Sports put the basic fee at about £7.77m within the package.
- Juventus, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Lyon were reported as interested, mostly during 2002–03 (range): Planet Football: clubs that nearly signed Ronaldo, as of 2002–03, checked 2026-10-12.
- Still playing for Al Nassr; contract to 2027 (verified): Al Jazeera (Sep 2026), as of 2026-09-18, checked 2026-10-12.
- 1,099 (verified): Wikipedia: career achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo, as of end of 2025–26, checked 2026-10-12. All competitions, to the end of 2025–26. Excludes 2026–27 games.
- 830 (verified): Wikipedia: career achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo, as of end of 2025–26, checked 2026-10-12. All competitions, to the end of 2025–26.
- 8 (verified): Wikipedia: career achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo, as of end of 2025–26, checked 2026-10-12. 3 English, 2 Spanish, 2 Italian, 1 Saudi.
- 5 (verified): Wikipedia: career achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo, as of end of 2025–26, checked 2026-10-12. Real-world name: UEFA Champions League.
- 5 (verified): Wikipedia: career achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo, as of end of 2025–26, checked 2026-10-12. Real-world name: Ballon d'Or (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017).
- 1 (verified): Wikipedia: career achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo, as of end of 2025–26, checked 2026-10-12. Euro 2016. Nations League wins (2019, 2025) are not simulated.
- 234 (verified): Wikipedia: list of Portugal internationals, as of 2026-09-27, checked 2026-10-12.
- 146 (verified): Wikipedia: list of Portugal internationals, as of 2026-09-27, checked 2026-10-12.
- 5 (verified): Wikipedia: career achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo, as of end of 2025–26, checked 2026-10-12. Sporting, Man United (twice), Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr.
- Still playing at 41 (verified): Al Jazeera (Sep 2026), as of 2026-09-18, checked 2026-10-12.
- 89 appearances and 86 goals for Borussia Dortmund (all competitions) (verified): ITV News; Wikipedia, as of 2022-06-13, checked 2026-10-13.
- Joined Manchester City on 1 July 2022 via a release clause reported at £51.1m–51.2m (about €60m), on a five-year contract (range): ITV News; Wikipedia, as of 2022-06-13, checked 2026-10-13.
- Real Madrid and Barcelona were reported as interested in 2022 (verified): 90min, as of 2022-09-04, checked 2026-10-13. Single outlet.
- 21 caps and 20 goals at the fork (verified): Wikipedia: international goals scored by Erling Haaland (calculated), as of 2022-07-01, checked 2026-10-13.
- Active - Manchester City, contract to 2034 (on 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist as a City player, SI 8 Sep 2026). (verified): Wikipedia; Sports Illustrated, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13.
- 380 (verified): Wikipedia, as of Wikipedia club table as of 19 May 2026, checked 2026-10-13. First-team, all comps: 402 career total minus Bryne 2 (18) and Molde 2 (4). Out of date: 2026-27 matches not counted.
- 297 (verified): Wikipedia, as of Wikipedia club table as of 19 May 2026, checked 2026-10-13. 317 career total minus Bryne 2 (18) and Molde 2 (2). Out of date.
- 2-3 (range): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Premier League 2022-23, 2023-24 (honours list). Wikipedia body also credits Austrian Bundesliga with Salzburg; not in honours list. City were 2nd in 2025-26.
- 1 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. 2022-23 Real-world name: UEFA Champions League.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia; Sports Illustrated, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Runner-up 2023. 2026 ceremony due 26 Oct - result not yet known. Real-world name: Ballon d'Or.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13.
- 52 (range): Wikipedia, as of 2026-06-22, checked 2026-10-13. As-of footnote placement unclear (22 Jun 2026); article text says 55 goals in 48 apps elsewhere
- 59 (range): Wikipedia, as of 2026-06-22, checked 2026-10-13. Conflicts with '55 goals in 48 appearances' in article text
- 5 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Bryne, Molde, Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City (excludes reserve teams)
- Still playing (26) (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Born 21 Jul 2000
- 234 appearances and 79 goals for Milan to the end of 2007–08 (2008–09 games before the fork not separable) (range): Wikipedia: Kaká, as of 2008-06, checked 2026-10-13.
- Manchester City made a bid reported as over £100m (€110m in another report); talks ended on 19 January 2009 (range): Reuters via Mail & Guardian; Wikipedia, as of 2009-01-19, checked 2026-10-13. Accounts differ on whether the club or the player ended the talks.
- Joined Real Madrid in June 2009 for a reported €67m–68.5m on a six-year contract (range): Wikipedia: Kaká, as of 2009-06-08, checked 2026-10-13.
- 62 caps and 23 goals at the end of 2008 (verified): Wikipedia: Kaká, as of 2008-12-31, checked 2026-10-13.
- Retired; announced 17 Dec 2017, aged 35. (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017-12-17, checked 2026-10-13.
- 654 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017, checked 2026-10-13. All comps career total
- 208 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017, checked 2026-10-13.
- 2 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017, checked 2026-10-13. Serie A 2003-04, La Liga 2011-12 (from article body; honours section not retrieved)
- 1 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017, checked 2026-10-13. 2006-07 Real-world name: UEFA Champions League.
- 1 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017, checked 2026-10-13. 2007 Real-world name: Ballon d'Or.
- 1 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017, checked 2026-10-13. 2002 World Cup. Also Confederations Cup 2005, 2009 (not counted as major).
- 92 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017, checked 2026-10-13.
- 29 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017, checked 2026-10-13.
- 4 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017, checked 2026-10-13. São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Orlando City (two spells each at São Paulo and Milan)
- 35 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017-12-17, checked 2026-10-13. Born 22 Apr 1982
- 60 appearances and 27 goals for Monaco’s first team (verified): Wikipedia: Kylian Mbappé, as of 2017-08-31, checked 2026-10-13.
- Joined Paris Saint-Germain on 31 August 2017 on loan with an obligation to buy, reported to be worth up to €180m (verified): Sports Illustrated, as of 2017-08-31, checked 2026-10-13.
- Real Madrid pursued him in 2017; Manchester City and Arsenal were also reported as interested (range): Goal (2018); NBC Sports; Shoot, as of 2017, checked 2026-10-13.
- 4 or 5 caps at the fork (his 5th cap came on the day of the move) (range): Wikipedia: international goals scored by Kylian Mbappé, as of 2017-08-31, checked 2026-10-13.
- Active - Real Madrid (on 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist as a Real Madrid player, SI 8 Sep 2026). (verified): Wikipedia; Sports Illustrated, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13.
- 478 (verified): Wikipedia, as of Wikipedia club table as of 15 Sep 2026, checked 2026-10-13. First-team, all comps: Monaco 60, PSG 308, Real Madrid 110. 490 including Monaco II.
- 377 (range): Wikipedia, as of Wikipedia club table as of 15 Sep 2026, checked 2026-10-13. First-team: 27 + 256 + 94. 381 including Monaco II. Wikipedia lead says 'over 400 career goals' - conflicts with table.
- 7 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Ligue 1: 1 with Monaco (2016-17) + 6 with PSG (Wikipedia lead). No La Liga: Barcelona won 2025-26.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Lost 2020 final with PSG Real-world name: UEFA Champions League.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia; Sports Illustrated, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Best: 3rd in 2023. 2026 ceremony due 26 Oct - result not yet known. Real-world name: Ballon d'Or.
- 1 (verified): Wikipedia; NBC, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. 2018 World Cup (Nations League 2021 not counted). France did not win 2026 World Cup (Spain won).
- 106 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-09-15, checked 2026-10-13.
- 66 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-09-15, checked 2026-10-13.
- 3 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Monaco, PSG, Real Madrid
- Still playing (27) (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Born 20 Dec 1998
- 203 appearances for Schalke 04 (all competitions, 2005–06 to 2010–11) (verified): Wikipedia: Manuel Neuer, as of end of 2010–11, checked 2026-10-13.
- Joined Bayern Munich on 1 June 2011; reported fee €18m–20m plus bonuses; five-year contract (range): AP and AFP via Ahram Online; Wikipedia, as of 2011-06-01, checked 2026-10-13.
- Manchester United were reported as interested in spring 2011 (verified): AFP via Ahram Online, as of 2011-04, checked 2026-10-13.
- Between 15 and 25 caps at the fork (15 at the end of 2010) (range): Wikipedia: Manuel Neuer, as of 2011-06, checked 2026-10-13.
- Active - Bayern Munich (captain). Contract reported extended to 30 June 2027 (Sky Germany via Fox Sports, 13 May 2026); in July 2026 he said he will very likely retire after 2026-27 (Goal, 29 Jul 2026). (verified): Wikipedia; Fox Sports; Goal, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13.
- 801 (verified): Wikipedia, as of Wikipedia club table as of 16 May 2026, checked 2026-10-13. First-team, all comps: Schalke 203 + Bayern 598. 827 including Schalke II. Out of date: 2026-27 matches not counted.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia, as of Wikipedia club table as of 16 May 2026, checked 2026-10-13.
- 13 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-04, checked 2026-10-13. Bundesliga, all with Bayern; 13th won April 2026
- 2 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. 2013, 2020 Real-world name: UEFA Champions League.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia; Sports Illustrated, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. No win stated on Wikipedia; not on 2026 shortlist (SI, 8 Sep 2026) Real-world name: Ballon d'Or.
- 1 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. 2014 World Cup
- 128 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-06-29, checked 2026-10-13. Retired from Germany Aug 2024 after 124 caps; recalled for 2026 World Cup (4 caps). Germany out in round of 32 (Goal). Post-tournament international status not confirmed.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-06-29, checked 2026-10-13.
- 2 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Schalke 04, Bayern Munich (excludes Schalke II)
- Still playing (40) (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Born 27 Mar 1986
- Santos 225 apps / 136 goals; Barcelona 186 apps / 105 goals (all competitions) (verified): FourFourTwo / Opta (Aug 2017), as of 2017-08-04, checked 2026-10-12.
- Contract to 2021; release clause €222m in 2017 (verified): Wikipedia: Neymar, as of 2016-07-01, checked 2026-10-12.
- Joined PSG on 3 Aug 2017 for €222m on a five-year deal (verified): FIFA (Aug 2017), as of 2017-08-03, checked 2026-10-12.
- Manchester United were linked in spring 2017; Mourinho called a summer move impossible (unverified): The Hard Tackle, citing ESPN Brasil (Mar 2017), as of 2017-03-31, checked 2026-10-12. Press rumour only; no bid found.
- Playing for Santos (contract to end of 2026); retired from Brazil duty after the 2026 World Cup (verified): beIN Sports (Jul 2026), as of 2026-07-09, checked 2026-10-12.
- Not reliably available (unverified): Wikipedia: Neymar, as of 2017-08, checked 2026-10-12. Totals for his second Santos spell (2025–) vary by source.
- Not reliably available (unverified): Wikipedia: Neymar, as of 2017-08, checked 2026-10-12.
- 8 (verified): Wikipedia: Neymar, as of 2024, checked 2026-10-12. 2 Spanish, 5 French, 1 Saudi.
- 1 (verified): Wikipedia: Neymar, as of 2017-08, checked 2026-10-12. 2015, before the fork. Real-world name: UEFA Champions League.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia: 2017 Ballon d'Or, as of 2017-12, checked 2026-10-12. Ballon d'Or best finish 3rd (2015, 2017).
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia: Neymar, as of 2017-08, checked 2026-10-12. Confederations Cup 2013 and Olympic gold 2016 are not counted here.
- 130 (verified): Wikipedia: international goals scored by Neymar, as of 2026-07-05, checked 2026-10-12. Final total; retired from Brazil in July 2026.
- 80 (verified): Wikipedia: international goals scored by Neymar, as of 2026-07-05, checked 2026-10-12.
- 4 (verified): Wikipedia: Neymar, as of 2017-08, checked 2026-10-12. Santos (twice), Barcelona, PSG, Al Hilal.
- Still playing at 34 (verified): beIN Sports (Jul 2026), as of 2026-07-09, checked 2026-10-12.
- 116 appearances and 2 goals for Bayern’s first team (sum of season rows, excluding the Stuttgart loan) (verified): Wikipedia: Philipp Lahm, as of 2008-05, checked 2026-10-13.
- Signed a new Bayern contract on 16 May 2008, to 30 June 2012 (verified): FilGoal; Wikipedia, as of 2008-05-16, checked 2026-10-13.
- Strongly linked with Barcelona during 2007–08 (verified): Wikipedia: Philipp Lahm, as of 2008-05, checked 2026-10-13.
- 37 caps and 2 goals at the end of 2007 (52 at the end of 2008) (range): Wikipedia: Philipp Lahm, as of 2008-05, checked 2026-10-13.
- Whether the 2007–08 league and cup were won before the fork date was not checked; they are not counted in the baseline (unverified): Editorial note, as of 2008-05, checked 2026-10-13.
- Retired 20 May 2017 (last match), aged 33; retired from Germany 18 Jul 2014. (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017-05-20, checked 2026-10-13.
- 588 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017-05-20, checked 2026-10-13. First-team, all comps: Bayern 517 + Stuttgart (loan) 71. 652 including Bayern II.
- 19 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017-05-20, checked 2026-10-13. Bayern 16 + Stuttgart 3. 22 including Bayern II.
- 8 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017-05-20, checked 2026-10-13. Bundesliga with Bayern
- 1 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017-05-20, checked 2026-10-13. 2012-13 Real-world name: UEFA Champions League.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017-05-20, checked 2026-10-13. Real-world name: Ballon d'Or.
- 1 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2014-07-18, checked 2026-10-13. 2014 World Cup (Euro 2008 runner-up)
- 113 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2014-07-18, checked 2026-10-13.
- 5 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2014-07-18, checked 2026-10-13.
- 2 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017-05-20, checked 2026-10-13. Bayern Munich, VfB Stuttgart (loan); excludes Bayern II
- 33 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2017-05-20, checked 2026-10-13. Born 11 Nov 1983; last match 20 May 2017
- 283 appearances and 41 goals for Liverpool (all competitions, 1998–99 to 2004–05) (verified): Wikipedia: Steven Gerrard, as of end of 2004–05, checked 2026-10-13.
- Liverpool rejected a Chelsea bid reported at £32m (other reports: over £30m) (range): Arab News; The Daily Star, as of 2005-07, checked 2026-10-13.
- Signed a new four-year contract in July 2005 (verified): Arab News, as of 2005-07-09, checked 2026-10-13.
- A transfer request on 5 July 2005, withdrawn the same night (unverified): Empire of the Kop (fan site), as of 2005-07-05, checked 2026-10-13. Only a fan site was found for this detail.
- 31 caps and 5 goals at the end of 2004 (39 at the end of 2005) (range): Wikipedia: Steven Gerrard, as of 2005-07, checked 2026-10-13.
- Retired; announced 24 Nov 2016 aged 36. (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2016-11-24, checked 2026-10-13.
- 749 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2016, checked 2026-10-13. Liverpool 710 + LA Galaxy 39, all comps
- 190-191 (range): Wikipedia, as of 2016, checked 2026-10-13. Wikipedia career total says 190 but club totals (186 + 5) add to 191
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2016, checked 2026-10-13. Never won the Premier League
- 1 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2016, checked 2026-10-13. 2004-05 Real-world name: UEFA Champions League.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2016, checked 2026-10-13. Real-world name: Ballon d'Or.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2016, checked 2026-10-13.
- 114 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2016, checked 2026-10-13.
- 21 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2016, checked 2026-10-13.
- 2 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2016, checked 2026-10-13. Liverpool, LA Galaxy
- 36 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2016-11-24, checked 2026-10-13.
- 80 appearances and 7 goals for Southampton (all competitions) (verified): Wikipedia: Virgil van Dijk, as of 2018-01-01, checked 2026-10-13.
- Handed in a transfer request on 7 August 2017 (verified): Wikipedia: Virgil van Dijk, as of 2017-08-07, checked 2026-10-13.
- Joined Liverpool when the window opened on 1 January 2018; fee reported as £75m, a world record for a defender (verified): The42 (Southampton statement), as of 2017-12-27, checked 2026-10-13.
- Chelsea and Manchester City were also linked in 2017 (verified): Sports Illustrated citing the Daily Echo, as of 2017-08-11, checked 2026-10-13.
- 16 caps, 0 goals at the end of 2017 (verified): Wikipedia: Virgil van Dijk, as of 2017-12-31, checked 2026-10-13.
- Active - Liverpool captain. Contract to June 2027 (Sporting Life, 17 Apr 2025). Unconfirmed April 2026 reports say he may leave when it expires. (verified): Sporting Life; Daily Jang, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13.
- 638 (verified): Wikipedia, as of Wikipedia club table as of 4 Sep 2026, checked 2026-10-13. All comps: Groningen 66, Celtic 115, Southampton 80, Liverpool 377
- 65 (verified): Wikipedia, as of Wikipedia club table as of 4 Sep 2026, checked 2026-10-13.
- 4 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Scottish Premiership 2013-14, 2014-15; Premier League 2019-20, 2024-25 (Celtic titles from article body text)
- 1 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. 2018-19 Real-world name: UEFA Champions League.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Runner-up 2019 Real-world name: Ballon d'Or.
- 0 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Nations League runner-up 2019 (not counted)
- 96 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-06-29, checked 2026-10-13.
- 13 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-06-29, checked 2026-10-13.
- 4 (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Groningen, Celtic, Southampton, Liverpool
- Still playing (35) (verified): Wikipedia, as of 2026-10-13, checked 2026-10-13. Born 8 Jul 1991