eFootball PES 2021 Season Update: Complete Guide

A guide to eFootball PES 2021 Season Update on PC in 2026: what still works, the offline modes worth playing, controls and core techniques, tactics, Master League, Become a Legend, myClub basics, and PC editing.

Researched September 2026 — current as of the final PES 2021 content (last official Steam announcement 27 August 2021). The game is no longer sold on Steam and has been succeeded by free-to-play eFootball (Version 6.0.0 as of September 2026). Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.

Status: Read This First

• No longer on sale. The Steam store page now states that eFootball PES 2021 SEASON UPDATE is no longer available. If you own it, you can still download and play it from your library.
• No more updates. Konami's last Steam posts for PES 2021 were weekly Iconic Moment player releases in summer 2021. There are no new data packs or player updates.
• Successor: Konami moved the series to the free-to-play eFootball in September 2021. It is live on PlayStation, Xbox, PC (Steam and Xbox App) and mobile, and is at Version 6.0.0 as of September 2026.
• Online modes: PES 2021's online features (myClub, Matchday, online matches) depended on Konami's servers. We could not find a current official status notice for them. Assume offline modes are the reliable way to play, and check the in-game notices when you launch.

PES 2021 itself was an updated edition of PES 2020 (released 15 September 2020 for the series' 25th anniversary) with new player data and club rosters on the same gameplay. PES 2020 and its 2021 update were the last entries on the Fox Engine under the PES name. A free-to-play PES 2021 LITE version also existed for online modes.

Quick Start

• Play the offline modes. Master League, Become a Legend, Exhibition and Cup or League modes all run without Konami's live services.
• Use a controller. PES was designed around a gamepad; keyboard play is much harder.
• Learn manual pressing. Holding the pressure button to charge the ball is the fastest way to lose shape. Contain, then tackle.
• Pass with purpose. Short passing and through balls with good timing beat sprinting everywhere.
• Set a Game Plan. Team style and advanced instructions change how your AI teammates move.
• Try Finesse Dribble. Introduced in PES 2020 and kept in 2021, it gives close control in tight spaces.
• Check your edition. Club editions (Arsenal, FC Barcelona, Juventus, Manchester United, FC Bayern München) came with extra myClub content; the gameplay is the same.
• On PC, community option files can restore names, kits and badges for unlicensed teams.

Controls (Default Gamepad)

Action | PlayStation | Xbox

Short pass / header | Cross | A

Through ball | Triangle | Y

Lofted pass / cross | Circle | B

Shoot | Square | X

Dash (sprint) | R1 | RB

Pressure (match-up) when defending | Cross (hold) | A (hold)

Second-man press when defending | Square (hold) | X (hold)

Sliding tackle when defending | Circle | B

Goalkeeper charge | Triangle (hold) | Y (hold)

PES has many modifier combinations (for example controlled shots, chip shots and manual passing). Check Settings > Controls in-game for the full list, and enable or disable assist levels there.

Core Gameplay Techniques

Attacking

• Build up patiently. Move the ball side to side until a passing lane opens.
• Use through balls into space rather than to feet when a runner is ahead of the defence.
• Lofted through balls beat high defensive lines.
• Don't sprint with the ball constantly. Sprinting reduces control and makes tackles easier.
• Finesse Dribble (see the Controls list for its input) helps shield the ball and turn in tight spaces.
• Shoot with good body shape. Players on their strong foot, balanced and facing goal score far more.
• Crosses work best with tall, strong strikers or when the opponent's defence is stretched.

Defending

• Contain with match-up pressure, then tackle when the attacker exposes the ball.
• Use second-man press sparingly; it pulls another player out of position.
• Control the defender closest to the danger, not the one chasing the ball.
• Avoid sliding tackles unless you're sure; misses leave huge gaps and risk cards.
• Keep your defensive line compact.

Set Pieces

• Corners: aim for the near post with a quick delivery or the far post for a strong header.
• Free kicks: practice in Training mode; power and curl matter more than aiming.
• Penalties: aim and power are shown on screen; don't overpower.

Tactics: Game Plan

Open Game Plan before matches.

Team Style

Setting | Options | When to use

Attacking Style | Counter Attack or Possession Game | Counter with fast forwards; possession with good passers

Build Up | Long Pass or Short Pass | Short with technical midfielders

Attacking Area | Wide or Centre | Wide with good wingers

Positioning | Maintain Formation or Flexible | Flexible for fluid movement

Defensive Style | Frontline Pressure or All-out Defence | Pressure against weak passers

Containment Area | Middle or Wide | Match the opponent's attacking area

Pressuring | Aggressive or Conservative | Conservative if you get counter-attacked

Sliders for support range, defensive line and compactness fine-tune it.

Advanced Instructions

You can assign offensive and defensive instructions (for example tiki-taka style passing, counter target players, tight marking). Use one or two that match your plan; too many conflict.

Playing Styles

Each player has a playing style that shapes AI movement, like Goal Poacher, Fox in the Box, Target Man, Hole Player, Box-to-Box, Anchor Man, Destroyer, Offensive Full-back and Defensive Goalkeeper. Build combinations: a Target Man with a Goal Poacher, or an Anchor Man behind a Box-to-Box midfielder.

Playing style | What the AI does with it | Pair it with

Goal Poacher | Plays on the last defender's shoulder, looking for balls in behind | A creative passer or a Target Man

Fox in the Box | Stays in the penalty area waiting for chances | Wingers who cross

Target Man | Holds the ball up and wins headers | A Goal Poacher or runners from midfield

Hole Player | Drifts between midfield and attack to get on the end of moves | A deep playmaker behind

Box-to-Box | Covers ground in both attack and defence | An Anchor Man or Destroyer

Anchor Man | Sits in front of the back line | Attacking midfielders who push on

Destroyer | Hunts the ball to win it back | A calmer passer beside him

Offensive Full-back | Overlaps down the flank | A covering centre-back or Anchor Man

Defensive Goalkeeper | Stays on the line rather than sweeping | A deeper defensive line

If a player keeps ending up in odd positions, check his playing style before blaming the formation.

Difficulty and Match Settings

• AI difficulty climbs from Beginner through Amateur, Regular, Professional, Top Player and Superstar up to Legend. The top levels are a big jump; step up one level at a time.
• Camera: many players prefer a wider camera (such as Wide or Dynamic Wide) because you see passing lanes earlier. Try a few in Settings and stick with one.
• Assists: turn off passing and shooting assists gradually as you learn the manual inputs; don't strip them all at once.
• Match length: longer halves in Master League make stats and player development feel more realistic, but quick matches get you through a season faster.

Master League

PES 2020's rebuilt Master League (carried into 2021) adds cutscenes, dialogue and manager storylines to the classic career mode.

Tips:

• Pick a club whose budget matches your goals. Big clubs are easy mode; smaller clubs are the classic challenge.
• Watch player development. Young players grow with playing time; older players decline.
• Manage the wage budget, not just transfer fees.
• Use scouts and negotiations instead of paying full release fees.
• Rotate the squad to manage fatigue and injuries.
• Match your tactics to your squad, not the other way around.

Become a Legend

Create or pick a single player and control only them through a career.

• Play your position: hold your run, call for passes and move into space.
• Performance ratings drive transfers and national team call-ups.
• Pick training that matches your player's position and playing style.

myClub (If Online Works)

myClub was PES 2021's team-building mode, where you sign players with GP and myClub Coins and build a squad.

• Player Contract Tickets and Premium Agents came with each edition (Standard included 3 tickets for 10 weeks; club editions for 30 weeks, plus myClub Coins).
• Iconic Moment Series players were special cards based on famous moments, such as Élber, Oliver Kahn and Franz Beckenbauer for Bayern, and Rijkaard, Gullit and van Basten for MILANO RN.
• Because PES 2021 is no longer updated and server status is unclear, don't spend real money on myClub today. Play eFootball if you want current live team-building.

Licenses and Unlicensed Teams

• Partner clubs (Arsenal, FC Barcelona, Juventus, Manchester United, FC Bayern München) have full squads, kits and themes.
• Some big clubs appear under placeholder names such as MILANO RN and MADRID CHAMARTIN B.
• On PC, you can edit names, kits and emblems in Edit mode, or use community option files.

PC Setup and Editing

• Controller: use XInput controllers for the best compatibility.
• Edit mode: rename teams and players, edit kits and import emblems.
• Option files and patches from the community restore names and kits. Back up your save and edit data before installing them, and only use reputable community sources.
• Steam supports only Windows 10 and later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Sprinting everywhere.
• Holding pressure and getting pulled out of position.
• Sliding tackle spam.
• Ignoring Game Plan settings.
• Spending money on myClub in a game that's no longer supported.
• Installing patches without backups.

Advanced Tips

• Manual passing and shooting raise the skill ceiling once you're comfortable.
• Use quick one-twos to break compact defences.
• Switch play to the weak side when the opponent overloads one flank.
• Learn player skills (cards like one-touch pass or long-range curler) to know who should take which shots.
• Practice in Training mode for set pieces and skill moves.

FAQ

Can I still buy eFootball PES 2021? Not on Steam. The store page says it's no longer available. Owners can still download it.

Do the online modes still work? We couldn't confirm a current official status. Treat online features as unreliable and rely on the offline modes.

What replaced PES 2021? The free-to-play eFootball, launched in September 2021 and still updated (Version 6.0.0 in September 2026).

Is PES 2021 different from PES 2020? It's an updated edition of PES 2020 with new player data and rosters, not a new engine.

Why are some teams fake names? PES didn't have every license. Clubs like MILANO RN and MADRID CHAMARTIN B use placeholder names; PC players often fix this with option files.

Is Master League offline? Yes, Master League and Become a Legend are offline career modes.

Sources

• eFootball PES 2021 SEASON UPDATE on Steam
• eFootball PES 2020 – Wikipedia (covers the 2021 Season Update)
• eFootball official site (Konami)
• PES 2021 Steam news (Iconic Moment posts, 2021)