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EA Sports unveiled their Team of the Year as voted by the fans and the CAF Player of The Year was nowhere to be found.

Despite a stellar year that saw him shine as one of Africa’s finest footballers, Ademola Lookman was notably absent from the EA FC 25 Men’s Team of the Year.

The exclusion of the Super Eagles star has sparked debate within the football community.  

EA FC’s Team of the Year was determined by a fan vote, leading to the selection of 11 players from seven different clubs. 

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While the inclusion of stars from Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Arsenal was widely expected, the glaring omission of Lookman, the newly-crowned African footballer of the year, who played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s Serie A campaign, raised eyebrows.  

Lookman, who scored 17 goals and assisted 10 others in the 2023/24 season, was tipped to be the first Nigerian to make the prestigious team since its inception. 

However, fan voting dynamics appear to have overshadowed his undeniable on-pitch brilliance.  

FC 25 TOTY: Real Madrid Dominate the Line-Up as only one Man City star makes list 

Champions League winners Real Madrid unsurprisingly dominated the roster, with four inclusions. Dani Carvajal, despite his knee injury, was recognised for his consistency. 

Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé, who joined Madrid last summer, claimed midfield and forward roles, while Vinícius Jr, crowned FIFA Best Men’s Player, graced the left wing.  

Only one Manchester City player, Rodri, was included in the final XI, months after winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or award ahead of Vinicius Jr.

Rodri’s inclusion comes after Pep Guardiola’s side clinched their fourth consecutive Premier League title in May.

However, City’s struggles in the latter half of the calendar year, losing nine games in all competitions, may have swayed voters. 

Notable names such as Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, and Phil Foden missed out, despite their contributions to City’s continued dominance.  

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s strong finish to 2024 was also acknowledged, with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk making the team.

Other key inclusions are: Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, Arsenal’s William Saliba, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Alex Grimaldo.

Grimaldo, in particular, was recognised for his role in Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten Bundesliga triumph.  

See the full EA Sports FC 25 Team Of The Year below:

GK – Emiliano Martinez (Argentina & Aston Villa)

LB – Alex Grimaldo (Spain & Bayer Leverkusen)

 LCB – William Saliba (France & Arsenal)

RCB – Virgil Van Dijk (Netherlands & Liverpool)

 RB –  Dani Carvajal (Spain & Real Madrid)

DM – Rodri (Spain & Manchester City)

CM –  Jude Bellingham (England & Real Madrid)

CAM – Cole Palmer (England & Chelsea)

LW – Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool)

RW – Vinicius Junior (Brazil & Real Madrid)

ST – Kylian Mbappe (France & Real Madrid)