The nominees for FIFA 23 Team of the Year have been revealed and, as always, the shortlist has found plenty of talking points – the biggest of which Cristiano Ronaldo.
Fans can now vote on who should be included in the EA Sports game’s Best XI, choosing their dream side from the top 100 names in world football. The Team of the Year will be announced on January 19, and those selected will receive exclusive FIFA 23 Ultimate Team items and in-game stat boosts.
The full list of 100 nominees is divided by position with 30 attackers, 35 midfielders, 25 defenders and 10 goalkeepers for fans to vote on. After looking at this year’s names, here’s a roundup of the most notable takeaways.
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Ronaldo left the elite
After enduring the toughest year of his playing career, in which he became a fixture on both benches. Manchester United and PortugalRonaldo faced further humiliation as he failed to make it to the 30 attacking players nominated.
This is the first time that Ronaldo has joined a Saudi club Al Nasser After his Manchester United contract expired at the end of last month, FIFA 09 has been shortlisted since the introduction of Team of the Year in the EA Sports series. ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos He is the only player to have made the FIFA 09 TOTY and is still active.
To further compound matters, Ronaldo actually made FIFA 21 last. Last year he was dropped from the front line of the 11 by Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Robert LewandowskiAlthough he was later voted “12th Man” with a separate list of honorable mentions.
City and Real dominate
Manchester City and Real Madrid More players could be included in the 100-name shortlist than any other club, with both clubs nominating eight of their star names.
30 from the Premier League, 21 from La Liga, 20 from Serie A, 16 from Bundesliga, nine from Ligue 1, three from Portugal’s Primeira Liga and one nominee from seven different European leagues have been shortlisted. From the Dutch Eredivisie.
Darwin among the TOTY debutants
The FIFA 23 Team of the Year shortlist features some notable stars nominated for the first time.
Real Madrid winger Vinicius JuniorHe scored the winning goal in the Champions League final last season Martin OdegaardCaptain of the Premier League leaders ArsenalIn the eyes of EA Sports, these are the two players who will reach the top level of world football.
Liverpool and Uruguay Striker Darwin NunezWhose first few months at Anfield have been characterized by a few goals, some wild misses and all but erratic performances, also makes his first appearance on the list, viz. Eintracht Frankfurt Goalkeeper Kevin Troup and Sevilla Full back Marcos Acuna.
World Cup inclusion
A total of 16 nominees on the FIFA 23 Team of the Year shortlist are listed as “World Cup Inclusions”, who have secured their place due to their impressive individual performances at the tournament.
Great actors like ArgentinaNaughty goalkeeper Emiliano MartinezA converted midfielder from France Antoine Griezmann, Croatia defender Josco Guardiol, Morocco couple Sofian Amrabat and Yasin Bonou, Japan super-sub Ritsu Doan And the Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes Qatar includes all for their exploitation.
Argentina won the World Cup by defeating France in a penalty shootout in the thrilling final last month. Les Bleus There are twice as many nominees (19) as the new world champion (7).