FIFA 22 Team of the Year: Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo among the nominees
FIFA have announced the nominees for the EA Sports FIFA 22 Team of the Year, with some of the biggest names in men's football in contention and competing for a place in the final XI.
A total of 80 of the best players across Europe's top-five leagues over the past 12 months are in the running to make the final XI, with fans getting to vote on which of their favourite superstars make the cut.
Those who make it into the XI will also have their performances and achievements celebrated by being given special TOTY player items in-game, including boosted stats to reflect their status.
Goalkeeper and defender nominees for FIFA 22’s Team of the Year ? pic.twitter.com/0KeF7ct9lU
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 9, 2022
The inclusion of names of XI is not without controversy considering that Argentina icon, Lionel Messi missed out on a place in the side for the first time last year despite scoring 27 goals and registering 19 assists in 48 appearances for club and country. His fellow Paris Saint-Germain team-mate and good friend, Neymar too failed to make the Ultimate XI last time around.
The attackers were the first batch of nominees were revealed on Friday, post which the midfielders being announced on Saturday with the defenders and goalkeepers following on Sunday. The online vote opens on Monday and the Ultimate XI will be revealed on January 20.