Why? Because PES 2017, in the hands of the modding community, has become the ultimate "timeless" football simulator. And at the heart of this renaissance is a figure who transcends the sport itself: .

Then, the match begins. 55th minute. A cross from Sancho. Ronaldo rises. The defender pulls his shirt, but Ronaldo hangs in the air—that legendary hang time. Header. Goal. He runs to the corner flag. He jumps, turns, and lands with arms wide.

The King stays. Long live the King.

In the sprawling, passionate universe of football gaming, there exists a strange, beautiful paradox. While the latest titles like eFootball 2022 and FIFA 23 battle for supremacy with hyper-realistic ray tracing and billion-dollar licenses, a dedicated legion of players refuses to leave the pitch. They are the keepers of the flame for Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 .

No. It’s still the Fox Engine. But the face mod makes it look like a 2022 title. The lighting reacts to his cheekbones. He turns his head to the crowd, and you see the vein in his neck. He smiles (a rare treat) and you see the teeth texture—slightly gapped, realistic.

By: The Pro Evolution Soccer Editing Team

Published: October 2021

Using a scan derived from high-resolution photos taken during the UEFA Euro 2020 (played in 2021), the mod adjusts the zygomatic bones (cheekbones). Ronaldo in his mid-30s has a slightly more defined, angular face. The mod deepens the shadows under his eyes, reflecting the fatigue and determination of a veteran. The nose is subtly reshaped, and the chin has the perfect amount of stubble mapping.

This is the star feature. The 2021 beard is no longer a painted-on shadow. It is a three-dimensional, layered mesh. You can see the transition from skin to stubble to thick beard along his jawline. The skin texture includes pores, wrinkles, and even the small scar on his right cheek. When the stadium floodlights hit his face during a night match at the Allianz Stadium, the reflection is almost photorealistic. How to Install the 2021 Face on PES 2017 (Step-by-Step) You cannot find this on the Steam Workshop. You need to go into the heart of the modding community.

Default PES 2017 Ronaldo has a slightly "blank" stare. The 2021 mod introduces dynamic eye textures. The irises are a sharper brown, and the mod includes custom "focus" files that make his eyes follow the ball more naturally. When he lines up a free kick, you see the concentration in his pupils.

That ends today.

Playing PES 2017 with the default 2016 Ronaldo in a 2021 Manchester United kit is a jarring experience. It’s like watching a vintage photograph move. You lose immersion. The New CR7 Face 2021 fixes this. The modding community, particularly the artists on PES-Patch.com and Evoweb , have outdone themselves. This isn't just a texture swap. This is a full facial reconstruction.

Here is what the brings to your game:

“Is that a new engine?” you whisper.