When Maradona is returning to FC25 and why legal battle meant he was removed

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."

READ MORE ON EA FC

Fans joke Luke Littler celebrates EAFC moment harder than winning £500k

Jude Bellingham spotted rolling eyes at introduction from announcer at EAFC event

February 14 is this Friday which indicates he will be coming back then.

There had been many, many rumours of a return for Maradona this year, with leaks of ratings and headscans.

And now, EA have all but confirmed his comeback.

This is going to be the first time in three years that the Argentine icon will be included in the game.

Most read in Football

'Disappointed' - Blackburn give strongly-worded statement as Eustace closes in on Derby

FA Cup draw this evening, Saka spotted in training, Ange staunchly defends Tottenham

Former Premier League star quietly resigns from new job after just 20 days

Mo Salah's ex-Liverpool teammate opens up on contract saga and outlines £160m need

His exact card hasn't been confirmed, but more details could well be released ahead of Friday's release.

There is a big chance he returns as an SBC (Squad Building Challenge) but he could just be a card available in store packs.

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.

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.