It is the day many of us knew would come eventually, yet few were truly prepared for it. The Team of the Year announcement is always the most anticipated event in the Ultimate Team calendar. It is the moment we see the absolute best players in the world immortalized with those distinctive blue cards. But FC 26 marks a somber milestone.
For the first time since Ultimate Team began in FIFA 09, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo features in the Team of the Year XI.
For over a decade, these two titans were not just part of the promo. They were the promo.
- FIFA 09 – FIFA 22: Both present.
- FIFA 23: Messi carries the torch.
- FIFA 24: A glorious return for both.
- FC 25: Ronaldo stands alone.
- FC 26: None.
See some of Ronaldo and Messi’s TOTY cards below.
The “Time Warp” Was the Goodbye
In hindsight, the writing was on the wall earlier this week. The recent Time Warp promotion, which ran just before the TOTY launch, now feels like a deliberate curtain call from EA Sports. By “turning back the time to their prime” EA gave us high-end, nostalgic versions of Messi and Ronaldo just days before the main event.
It was a graceful way to acknowledge their legacy, a final lap of honor before acknowledging that, strictly based on the last 12 months of football, the torch has officially been passed.
The New Guard Has Arrived (and Brought Controversy)
With the two GOATs stepping aside, the door has swung wide open for the next generation. The leaked XI features some expected heavy hitters, but the absence of the “Big Two” isn’t the only talking point.
The Leaked FC 26 Men’s TOTY:
- GK: Donnarumma
- DEF: Nuno Mendes, William Saliba, Virgil van Dijk, Jules Koundé
- MID: Declan Rice, Vitinha, Pedri
- FWD: Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembélé
While the defense looks terrifyingly meta, with Koundé getting the nod over other contenders, the midfield and attack have sparked serious debate. The inclusion of Declan Rice has raised eyebrows among those who felt other creative powerhouses deserved the spot.
However, the real controversy lies in the Voting Categories. EA’s decision to classify attackers like Mohamed Salah, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal as “Midfielders” during the vote split the ballot significantly. This made it nearly impossible for traditional midfielders to compete, while simultaneously clearing an easier path for pure strikers like Haaland to secure his spot over Harry Kane, despite Kane’s record-breaking year.
This categorization chaos has turned the 12th Man Vote into a redemption round. The battle is now between Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, and Raphinha, with Yamal currently sitting as the heavy favorite due to his massive popularity.
It’s Not Over Yet: Flashbacks and Icons
While Messi and Ronaldo aren’t in the starting XI, this doesn’t mean they will be absent from the promo entirely.
Historically, EA loves a 12th Man or an Honorable Mention, and there is always the possibility of a premium Flashback SBC. Given the reception of the Time Warp cards, a Flashback Messi or Ronaldo during TOTY would likely break the SBC market.
Speaking of SBCs, leaks indicate that we are getting plenty of nostalgia elsewhere. A Team of the Year Icon Marcelo is reportedly coming. He is a fan favorite returning to his rightful place as the best Left Back in the game. Additionally, a Flashback Sophia Smith has been leaked, promising 5-star weak foot abilities that will make her a “must-complete” for many players.
A New Chapter
FC 26 will be remembered as the year the page finally turned. The era of seeing Messi and Ronaldo automatically locked into the 99-rated slots is officially over.
We are now firmly in the era of Mbappé, Haaland, and Vinicius Jr. But for those of us who have been playing since 2009, looking at a Team of the Year graphic without an Argentine or Portuguese flag in the forward line will take some getting used to.
Get your clubs ready. The biggest week in FC 26 is officially here.
