So I decided to go a whole new direction with this (again lol). I've been noticing the new trend in game menu design includes having a 3d in game environment (CoD, Fortnite, FIFA, among others). Today I went and researched a bunch of menus, and came away with a surge of inspiration, creating this!
NOTE: the 3d rendering of Messi is obviously and unfortunately not eFootball graphics, but rather a phenomenal 3d render I found online, which I then had to pain-stakingly edit in order to transform the kit to match the myclub kit Messi is wearing in the eFootball promo ads. Safe to say I am very pleased with the result, and this is my favorite menu design thus far! I promise no more veering off, this is the one I am going with, and will redesign the remaining screens to match.
I also included a ultrawide version for fun, since I am working on an ultrawide monitor. Click the imgur link to see!