eFootball Surges to Second Place in Japan as Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes Join New Legends Campaign

Konami's eFootball has enjoyed a dramatic rise in Japan's App Store gaming revenue rankings, jumping from tenth to second place in the November 10 chart. The increase follows the introduction of the Epic: English League Midfielders campaign on November 9, featuring three of English football's most recognisable former players: Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes. For football supporters of a certain generation, that is quite a collection of midfield talent.

Gerrard's leadership and powerful shooting, Lampard's extraordinary goalscoring record and Scholes' passing ability made them defining figures of the Premier League era. Their inclusion gives eFootball players another opportunity to strengthen their virtual squads with famous names from the sport's recent history. Legendary-player campaigns are an important part of modern football games because they combine nostalgia with competitive squad-building.

Players are not merely collecting familiar faces; they are attempting to assemble teams capable of competing against increasingly sophisticated opponents. The commercial effect can be substantial, particularly when several popular players become available simultaneously. However, the Japanese App Store ranking does not disclose actual spending totals, so the campaign's precise financial contribution remains unknown.

eFootball's rise also illustrates the continuing competition between established sports franchises and newer mobile releases. While Monster Hunter Outlanders has attracted considerable attention since its launch, Konami has demonstrated that a carefully selected collection of football legends can still generate significant excitement. Apparently the old Gerrard-versus-Lampard-versus-Scholes debate has found a new home on smartphones.

This time, however, supporters can simply put all three in the same midfield and let their opponents worry about the consequences.