My Take on the FC25 Team of the Year: A Player's Perspective

Wow, what a way to end 2024 and kick off 2025 in the football world! As a regular player diving into EA Sports FC25, the whole Team of the Year (TOTY) reveal felt like the ultimate season recap. Remember all that drama last year? France Football and FIFA couldn't even agree on the best men's player! Rodri got the Ballon d'Or with his Euro 2024 and Premier League glory for Man City, while Vinicius Jr. scooped FIFA's award after leading Real Madrid to a La Liga and Champions League double. Talk about a split decision! Honestly, I'm just glad the FC25 TOTY has room for both of them—maybe now the endless online arguments between fans can finally cool down a bit. It's a nice reminder that there's room at the top for more than one incredible talent.

Let's talk about the men's squad first. I was genuinely surprised when I saw the full lineup! Six out of the eleven players come from the Premier League. That's a huge statement about the league's quality right now. Then you have four stars from Real Madrid—no shock there given their incredible year—and one solitary, but totally deserved, representative from Xabi Alonso's unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen squad that conquered the Bundesliga. It really paints a picture of where the power in European football lies. As a player, seeing this mix makes me want to try building hybrid squads in Ultimate Team, blending that Premier League physicality with Real Madrid's technical flair.

The women's team, on the other hand, feels like a more global celebration. Barcelona is the clear club winner here with four players included, which is absolutely deserved after their dominant season. Chelsea follows closely with three stars of their own. Then it beautifully spreads out, with one standout each from Lyon, Paris-Saint Germain, Gotham FC, and the Portland Thorns. I love this! It shows the growing depth and worldwide reach of the women's game. It's not just about one or two clubs anymore; excellence is popping up everywhere.

Here’s what I think is the coolest part of all this: the players were chosen by us—the fans! 🗳️ That's right, this wasn't a decision by a panel of journalists or a federation. This was a pure fan vote, making it the only major award where our voices directly shaped the outcome. It feels more authentic, you know? It's our community recognizing the players who gave us the most memorable moments, the stunning goals, and the game-changing saves throughout 2024. It makes pulling these special TOTY cards in packs feel even more meaningful.

Of course, the big question for any FC25 player is: when can we get them in our teams? EA has staggered the release, which is smart—it builds the hype!

• Attackers are already live! ⚽ They dropped first, so you can start hunting for those elite forwards right now.

• Midfielders join the party on January 19. Get ready to boost your engine room.

• Defenders and Goalkeepers arrive last on January 21. Solidify your backline just in time.

The full, complete TOTY squad will be available in Ultimate Team for a limited time, from January 23 until January 31. And here's a pro-tip: mark January 24 on your calendar! That's when EA is dropping a 12th 'wildcard' player for both the men's and women's teams. Who could it be? A fan-favorite snub? A rising star? The speculation is already half the fun!

So, do I agree with the picks? For the most part, yes! The fan vote really highlighted the players who defined the year. But part of being a fan is having your own opinions, right? I'm sure everyone has that one player they wish had made the cut. That's what makes football so great—the endless debates and passion.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some Ultimate Team objectives to grind and packs to save. That TOTY Rodri card is calling my name! Seeing his in-game stats is going to be something else. This annual event is always a highlight, and for 2025, it feels like a perfect, community-driven celebration of a fantastic year of football. Time to go build my dream team! 🎮