eFootball PES 2020: Complete Guide (Offline Play, Master League & Tips)

A guide to getting the most out of eFootball PES 2020 today: its status on Steam, how the core gameplay and controls work, Master League strategy, Become a Legend, attacking and defending technique, and PC modding for kits and licenses.

Researched September 2026 — current as of the final PES 2020 build (Data Pack 7 / UEFA EURO 2020 content, June 2020). Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.

Status: delisted. The Steam store now shows "eFootball PES 2020 is no longer available on the Steam store." Existing owners can still download and play it. Konami's football series has since moved to the free-to-play eFootball. PES 2020 was the last full new PES release; the following year's eFootball PES 2021 was a "Season Update" of it with refreshed rosters, and the final game to carry the PES name. Online modes (myClub, Matchday, online matches) depend on Konami's servers; don't buy a second-hand key expecting online play — treat the offline modes as the reason to play it now.

Quick Start

1. Offline modes are the heart of it now. Master League, Become a Legend, Exhibition, and cup/league competitions all work without online services.
2. Slow down. PES 2020's gameplay (developed with input from Andrés Iniesta) rewards patient build-up, first touches, and dribbling over sprinting everywhere.
3. Stop holding sprint. Dashing constantly ruins close control and makes your players tire faster. Use it in open space only.
4. Defend with containment, not tackles. Hold press to jockey and let the opponent make mistakes; commit to tackles only when the ball is exposed.
5. Learn the through ball. The weighted through pass is the most reliable chance creator.
6. Use the tactics menu. Formation, attacking/defensive styles, and advanced instructions make a big difference against AI.
7. Check fitness and form arrows. Player condition changes before each match; rotate tired or out-of-form players.
8. Install community option files on PC if you want real names, kits, and badges for unlicensed teams.

Controls (Default Controller Layout)

PlayStation button names shown; Xbox equivalents are in the same positions (X = A, Square = X, Triangle = Y, Circle = B).

Attacking

Defending

You can remap controls in the settings, and the game offers assisted and manual passing/shooting options. New players should keep passing assistance on; experienced players can reduce it for more control.

Gameplay Fundamentals

First touch and dribbling

• PES 2020 added Finesse Dribble, a close-control move for escaping pressure in tight spaces. Use it when a defender closes in rather than trying to sprint past.
• Your first touch depends on the pass weight and the receiving player's technique. Receive with low-dribble-skill players carefully.
• Shielding (holding position with your back to goal) buys time for teammates to move.

Passing

• Short passing is your default. Build triangles and move the ball quickly.
• Through balls split the defense; the pass power bar decides how far ahead it goes.
• Lofted passes and crosses switch play or find a target man. Crosses are less effective against tall AI center-backs; low crosses and cut-backs often work better.

Shooting

• Power bar length determines how high and hard the shot goes. Tap for placed finishes, hold longer for distance shots.
• Body shape matters: shots on the weak foot or off-balance lose accuracy.
• One-on-ones: a lightly tapped finish or a chip is usually better than full power.

Defending

• Pressure (X) makes the controlled player close down while staying on his feet.
• Call a teammate (Square) brings a second defender; don't leave it on constantly or you open gaps.
• Switch player (L1) often; controlling the right defender is half of defending.
• Sliding tackles are high risk. Save them for last-ditch situations.

Master League

Master League was overhauled for PES 2020 with a story-like presentation: new cutscenes, an interactive dialogue system, redesigned menus, and a more realistic transfer market built on better data.

Getting started

1. Pick your manager and club. A big club means an easy start; a small club means a real rebuild.
2. Check the budget. Your transfer budget and salary budget are separate constraints.
3. Set club goals. The board has expectations; missing them affects your standing.

Squad building

Transfers

• Scout before you buy. Player valuations and demands vary; bargains exist in smaller leagues.
• Loans are a cheap way to fill gaps.
• Sell ageing high-salary players before their value collapses.
• Negotiate contract lengths to protect your salary budget.

Player growth

• Young players develop with playing time. Give prospects minutes in cup games and against weaker teams.
• Older players decline; plan replacements a season ahead.

Become a Legend

Create a player (or pick an existing one) and play a career controlling only him. Tips:

• Hold your position: the AI teammates pass to you more when you're in the right place.
• Call for the ball when open.
• Pick attributes that match your role: a winger needs pace and dribbling; a striker needs finishing and positioning.

Other Modes

The UEFA EURO 2020 content arrived with Data Pack 7 on June 4, 2020, adding official kits and player likenesses for all 55 licensed UEFA teams, five tournament venues, and the match ball.

Licensing and Teams

• PES 2020 had exclusive Juventus rights (the first time in 25 years FIFA didn't have them).
• Partner clubs with authentic kits, 3D-scanned players, and recreated stadiums included FC Barcelona, Manchester United, FC Bayern München, Juventus, Arsenal, AS Monaco, and Celtic.
• Many other teams and leagues were unlicensed, which is why PC option files are popular.

PC Modding (Offline)

• Option files from community sites add real names, kits, and badges for unlicensed teams. They're applied through the game's edit data import.
• Larger mod tools (kit servers and patches) add stadiums, boots, faces, and more. Install one at a time and keep a backup of your save and edit data.
• Mods are for offline play; don't use them online.

Settings to Change First

A Master League Season Plan

1. Preseason: check the squad for aging stars on big salaries and players out of position. Sell or loan the ones you won't use before the window closes.
2. First half of the season: play your strongest XI in the league; give prospects minutes in cups and against weaker opponents.
3. Mid-season window: fix the weakest position rather than buying another star for a strong one.
4. Run-in: rest key players when the league is safe or lost, and check the board's goals.
5. Off-season: renew contracts for key players early, release deadwood, and reinvest in young, high-potential players.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Sprinting everywhere. You lose the ball and your players tire.
• Diving into tackles. Contain and pressure; tackle only when the ball is loose.
• Ignoring player condition. Tired and out-of-form players underperform badly.
• Overspending in Master League year one. Salary budgets bite in later seasons.
• Crossing into tall defenders. Vary the attack.
• Assuming online modes still work. Plan around offline content.

Advanced Tips

• Manual through balls. Once comfortable, reduce passing assistance for more precise through balls.
• Advanced instructions. Use attacking and defensive instructions (for example, a false 9 or tight marking) against specific opponents.
• Rotate formations. Have an attacking and a defensive formation saved for different game states.
• Finesse dribble in the box. A quick finesse touch often opens a shooting lane where sprinting would get tackled.
• Master League youth. Buying high-potential teenagers early is the most efficient long-term strategy.
• Set pieces. Practice free-kick curl and power in training; set pieces decide close games against the AI.

FAQ

Can I still buy PES 2020 on Steam? No. It's delisted, though existing owners can download it from their library.

Do the online modes still work? They depend on Konami's servers; don't count on them. The offline modes work regardless.

Is PES 2020 better than eFootball? Many offline players prefer PES 2020 for Master League and Become a Legend, which the free-to-play eFootball doesn't replicate in the same way.

What's the best way to learn the gameplay? Play offline Exhibition on a lower difficulty with passing assistance on, and practice through balls and pressing.

How do I get real kits and names? On PC, import community option files through the edit menu.

Did PES 2020 get Euro 2020 content? Yes, via Data Pack 7 on June 4, 2020.

Is PES 2021 different? PES 2021 was a "Season Update" of PES 2020 (September 2020), released for the series' 25th anniversary with updated rosters rather than as a full new game. It was a separate purchase and the last game to carry the PES name.

Sources

• eFootball PES 2020 on Steam (delisting notice)
• eFootball PES 2020 — Wikipedia
• eFootball PES 2021 — Wikipedia