Team of the Year is almost here! Let’s see who could make the cut.
As 2024 begins, football fans are excitedly looking forward to the Team of the Year event in FC Ultimate Team. This yearly event honors twelve players from both men’s and women’s football for their excellent performances in 2023. The chosen players will be awarded special Team of the Year cards that enhance their in-game performance significantly.
EA has announced that voting for the Team of the Year (TOTY) will start on January 8, 2024. However, images of the TOTY nominees have already been leaked online, and many Ultimate Team fans are upset as some well-performing players from 2023 are missing from the list of nominees. This has led to discussions among supporters about who was left out and how players are chosen. Despite some disappointment, let’s shift focus to a more positive note and have a look at our predictions for FC 24 Men’s Team of the Year.
The traditional formation for TOTY has consistently been a 4-3-3 setup, with EA Sports providing fans the opportunity to vote for one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders, and three attackers.
Goalkeeper
Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona) – Barcelona faced considerable challenges over the last five years, particularly post Lionel Messi’s departure. Struggling both in domestic and European competitions, and grappling with financial woes, the club experienced a notable downturn.
However, a ray of success emerged in the form of the 2022-23 La Liga season, where Barcelona clinched the league title. Much credit for this triumph is attributed to their star goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen, who boasted an impressive 15 clean sheets during this victorious campaign and has maintained solid form into the ongoing 2023-24 season.
Defenders
CB: Ruben Dias (Manchester City) – The Team of the Year selections often spark debates among football fans, but one unanimous choice in the 2023 Men’s Team of the Year will be that of Ruben Dias. The Portuguese stalwart played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s triumphant treble-winning campaign, earning widespread acclaim for his exceptional contributions on the pitch.
CB: Kim Min Jae (Bayern Munich) – In the previous season, Napoli secured their first Serie A title in 33 years, with Kim Min Jae playing a pivotal role in fortifying their defense. His outstanding contributions for both the Serie A team and the South Korean national squad caught the attention of Bayern Munich, where he seamlessly started all 15 league games. Contributing significantly to Bayern’s impressive record this season, Kim Min Jae played a substantial role in their defense.
RB: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United) – Despite Newcastle enduring a forgettable 2023-24 season, their previous campaign was nothing short of remarkable. Securing a fourth-place finish in the Premier League, they qualified for the Champions League for the first time in two decades. Kieran Trippier played a pivotal role in this achievement, contributing significantly. Despite the current season’s challenges, Trippier continues to showcase consistent excellence for Newcastle.
LB: Theo Hernandez (Milan): Personally, I don’t believe Hernandez deserves a spot in the Team of the Year. However, it’s entirely plausible that the French left-back might secure a place in the final XI, given the substantial influence of fan votes in the TOTY selection process.
Midfielders
CDM: Rodri (Manchester City) – Much like Ruben Diaz, Rodri’s inclusion in this year’s TOTY is unquestionable. Stepping into the void left by Kevin De Bruyne’s absence due to injury, Rodri has proven to be the heartbeat of the Cityzens. Defensively, he stands out as the premier defensive midfielder in the league.
Yet, his prowess extends beyond mere defensive capabilities, with powerful long shots that are nothing short of remarkable. It’s worth noting that Manchester City secured their first-ever Champions League trophy, and Rodri’s goal played a pivotal role in that historic achievement.
CM: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – Harry Kane’s admiration for Jude Bellingham’s work rate is well-founded, as even in his debut season for Real Madrid, Bellingham is a ubiquitous presence on the pitch.
Despite his natural position as a central midfielder, he has showcased remarkable versatility by scoring crucial goals for Los Blancos. Bellingham seamlessly walked into Bernabeu and swiftly became the engine that drives the team, leaving an indelible mark.
CAM: Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) – While Arsenal bravely contested to prevent Manchester City from securing a hat trick of Premier League titles, they fell short. Nevertheless, Arsenal enjoyed an exceptional season, and a significant credit goes to their captain, Martin Ødegaard.
Serving as the heartbeat for the Gunners throughout the last season, Ødegaard orchestrated brilliant moves from midfield. Although it might spark debates, our choice for the third midfielder in the 2023 Team of the Year is Martin Ødegaard.
Attackers
ST: Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – The Norwegian goal-scoring sensation nearly caused heartache for Messi fans in the 2023 Ballon D’Or race. Haaland has broken almost all possible Premier League scoring records in his debut season for Manchester City, won the treble and is the joint top scorer in 2023-24 Premier League Season. Like his fellow Manchester City teammates in the 2023 Team of the Year, Haaland’s inclusion will be indisputable.
CF: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – Winning the Ballon D’or has always been a direct path to Team of the Year, and we predict that Messi’s case in 2023 will also be the same. Despite a less-than-stellar 2023, Messi’s title as the 2023 Ballon D’Or winner, coupled with the impact of fan votes, may very well see the Argentine legend earning a spot in the Team of the Year for one last time.
ST: Kylian Mbappé (PSG) – Whether you love him or not, Kylian Mbappé is undeniably a goal-scoring machine, consistently “farming” goals and assists for PSG in Ligue 1. With such prolific performances and the considerable influence of fan votes, the french is poised to secure a well-deserved spot in the Team of the Year.
12th Man
ST: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) – While it’s undeniable that Cristiano Ronaldo has taken a step back in professional football by leaving Europe, his exceptional performances in the Saudi Pro League set him miles above anyone else. With such standout displays and the considerable influence of fan votes, there’s a strong possibility that Cristiano Ronaldo may secure a spot in the Team of the Year for one last time as the 12th man.
This prediction for Men’s TOTY in FC 24 is entirely subjective, and the final squad will be determined by EA, considering both player performance and fan votes. Keep an eye out for more updates on Team of the Year.
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