Complete guide to FIFA 21 Team of the Year: Players, predictions, and promo strategies
Introduction to FIFA 21 Team of the Year
The FIFA 21 Team of the Year (TOTY) represents the pinnacle of Ultimate Team achievement, honoring football’s elite performers from the past calendar year.
This annual celebration combines community voting with EA Sports’ selections to create the most coveted cards in FUT. Unlike Team of the Season (TOTS) which focuses on domestic league performances, TOTY recognizes global excellence across all competitions.
For collectors and competitors alike, TOTY cards offer significant stat boosts and unique designs that can transform your Ultimate Team lineup. Understanding the event’s timeline, player selections, and accompanying promotions is key to maximizing your FIFA 21 experience.
TOTY Release Schedule and Voting
The TOTY selection process began with community voting open until January 18, allowing players to choose from 55 exceptional nominees representing various positions and leagues.
EA Sports staggered the full reveal from January 22-26, building anticipation through phased releases:
- January 22 (6pm GMT): Attacking trio revealed – Lewandowski, Ronaldo, Mbappe
- January 24: Midfield selections – Kimmich, Fernandes, De Bruyne
- January 26: Defensive line and 12th Man – Davies, Alexander-Arnold, Ramos, Van Dijk, Neuer
This staggered approach allowed for focused appreciation of each position group while maintaining engagement throughout the promotion period.
Confirmed TOTY Players and Ratings
The 2021 Team of the Year features exceptional talent across all positions, with several players receiving significant rating upgrades:
Attackers (Revealed January 22)
- Robert Lewandowski (98 OVR): Bayern Munich’s scoring machine earned the highest rating after his Champions League dominance
- Cristiano Ronaldo (98 OVR): Juventus superstar maintains elite status with consistent performances
- Kylian Mbappe (97 OVR): PSG’s young phenom continues to impress with his blistering pace
Midfielders (Revealed January 24)
- Kevin De Bruyne (96 OVR): Manchester City’s creative force and Premier League standout
- Bruno Fernandes (97 OVR): Manchester United’s transformative signing with exceptional playmaking
- Joshua Kimmich (96 OVR): Bayern’s versatile midfielder crucial to their treble-winning campaign
Defenders & Goalkeeper (Revealed January 26)
- Virgil van Dijk (96 OVR): Liverpool’s defensive rock despite injury-shortened season
- Sergio Ramos (96 OVR): Real Madrid’s leader with clutch performances
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (94 OVR): Liverpool’s creative right-back with unmatched crossing
- Alphonso Davies (93 OVR): Bayern’s explosive left-back breakthrough star
- Manuel Neuer (96 OVR): Bayern’s sweeper-keeper with exceptional reflexes
Complete List of TOTY Nominees
The 55-player nominee pool represented the best of global football, with selections from Europe’s top leagues and standout performers worldwide:
Goalkeepers
- Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
- Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
- Ederson (Manchester City)
Defenders
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
- Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Midfielders
- Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
- Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
- Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Attackers
- Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
- Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Notable omissions included Lionel Messi, marking the first time in over a decade the Argentine superstar didn’t make the final TOTY selection.
Expert Predictions vs. Actual Selections
Many football analysts and content creators submitted their predicted TOTY lineups before the official reveal. The Dexerto prediction proved remarkably accurate, correctly identifying 7 of the final 11 players:
- Accurate Predictions: Van Dijk, Davies, Alexander-Arnold, Kimmich, De Bruyne, Lewandowski, Ronaldo
- Surprise Inclusions: Bruno Fernandes’ selection over other creative midfielders
- Controversial Omissions: Lionel Messi’s absence after 13 consecutive TOTY appearances
The community voting process created some unexpected results, with Premier League players receiving strong support. This reflects FIFA’s growing UK player base and the league’s global visibility.
TOTY Promo Events and Special Content
Beyond the elite player cards, the TOTY promotion includes several ways to engage with Ultimate Team:
SBCs & Objectives
- Player Moments Suarez: Special objectives card celebrating past TOTY performances
- Flashback Ribery: SBC honoring the French winger’s peak years
Pack Offers
Expect limited-time promotional packs with increased odds for TOTY players:
- Lightning Rounds featuring special discounted packs
- Increased availability of Rare Player Packs
- Potential guaranteed TOTY player SBCs (historically released after main promo)
Pro Tip: Track pack weight statistics shared by the community to optimize your opening strategy during peak times.
TOTY Collection Strategies
Building your Ultimate Team during TOTY requires careful planning:
Market Awareness
- Monitor price trends – meta gold cards often dip during TOTY
- List unwanted players before Lightning Rounds to capitalize on demand
SBC Approach
- Complete daily SBCs for potential pack rewards
- Save high-rated fodder for potential guaranteed TOTY SBCs
Resource Management
- Balance pack openings with direct purchases
- Consider holding coins for post-TOTY market crashes
Common Mistake: Overspending early in the promo – player prices often decrease as more packs are opened throughout the event.
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