Diego Maradona will finally make his highly-anticipated video game return in EA FC 25 this week after three years out of the game.
The late Argentina legend, who featured as an Icon every year since they were introduced in 2018, was removed from EA’s game in 2022.
It has prevented players from using one of the greatest footballers in their Ultimate Teams in two straight editions.
Maradona wasn’t included in this year’s game, EA FC 25, either, but that now looks like it’s about to change this week…
Is Maradona returning in EA FC 25?
Yes, Maradona is going to be added back to the game.
On Monday, EA Sports teased his return to their game with a post on X with a picture of the legend and the caption: “February 14.”
Three days later, the publisher confirmed ‘The Soul of Argentina and the Pride of Napoli returns as a Grassroots Greats ICON this Friday.’
This is going to be the first time in three years that the Argentine icon will be included in the game.
During his original Ultimate Team, Maradona was among the most expensive players in the game.
However, FC 25 leaker Fut Sheriff has revealed that a free Maradona Evolution is coming to the mode for all players to enjoy.
The leak suggests the Napoli legend’s EVO will follow the same format as the TOTY Zinedine Zidane card – that was available to all players who logged into FUT before a specific date.
Players are expected to initially receive a 77-rated Maradona item, which can then be evolved into an elite CAM, striker or right-winger.
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Stat boosts and additional PlayStyles will be customised to whatever chosen position path FC users select.
Stage 1 (CAM)
- Pace: 87
- Shooting: 88
- Passing: 90
- Dribbling: 92
- Defending: 40
- Physicality: 73
- PlayStyle+: Power Shot
Stage 1 (Striker)
- Pace: 88
- Shooting: 89
- Passing: 87
- Dribbling: 92
- Defending: 40
- Physicality: 74
- PlayStyle+: Incisive Pass
Stage 1 (RW)
- Pace: 89
- Shooting: 87
- Passing: 89
- Dribbling: 93
- Defending: 40
- Physicality: 72
- PlayStyle+: Technical
A second stage of the Maradona EVO will be available – BUT will require coins or FC points to complete.
In addition to further stat boosts, the Finesse Shot+ PlayStyle will be added to the previous free PlayStyle + on the existing card.
Stage 2 (CAM)
- Pace: 89
- Shooting: 90
- Passing: 92
- Dribbling: 94
- Defending: 40
- Physicality: 77
Stage 2 (Striker)
- Pace: 90
- Shooting: 91
- Passing: 89
- Dribbling: 94
- Defending:40
- Physicality: 78
Stage 2 (RW)
- Pace: 91
- Shooting: 89
- Passing: 91
- Dribbling: 95
- Defending: 40
- Physicality: 76
Why was Maradona removed from the game?
EA Sports announced in 2022 that Maradona would be taken out of their game due to a ‘third party legal dispute’.
Their statement read: “Due to a third-party legal dispute, we must suspend Diego Maradona from appearing in FIFA Ultimate Team Packs, Ultimate Draft and the Soccer Aid World XI team.
“As such, Diego Maradona Icon Items will no longer be made available in Packs, SBCs and FUT Draft, and their price range has been fixed until further notice.
“We have always included Maradona’s likeness and image under valid license agreements, first with Mr. Maradona himself and later with the company entitled to license Maradona’s image rights worldwide.”
The dispute began due to an issue with image rights after EA signed an agreement with Maradona’s former manager Stefano Ceci.
However, after he died in 2020, his lawyer, Matias Morla, stated that the former Napoli icon had granted the image rights to him.
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This led to a court ruling that Ceci was not in a position to deal with the image rights.
And these legal problems left EA having no choice but to remove Maradona from their game.
EA’s statement at the time concluded: “We share our fans’ disappointment and hope to bring one of football’s greatest icons back in the game at some point in the future.”
Now, it seems this legal dispute has been settled and they are able to bring Maradona back to the game in EA FC 25.
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