February 17 – Diego Maradona has to made a posthumous comeback in EA Sports FC 25, nearly three years after being unceremoniously dropped from FIFA 22 due to a legal dispute.
Back in 2022, EA removed the Argentine icon, citing a vague “third-party legal dispute”—which, in reality, translated to a failure to secure the proper rights to his likeness. At the time, the gaming giant expressed hope that Maradona would one day return, but three sequels and a complete franchise rebrand later, the wait has finally ended.
His original removal stemmed from EA’s failure to properly secure the rights to his likeness, with a company owned by Maradona’s former lawyer, Sattvica, attempting to claim ownership of his trademark.
That claim was ultimately dismissed by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), and after a final failed appeal in November 2023, EA was finally free to negotiate directly with Maradona’s heirs. Now, the Argentine icon is set to return – but his arrival coincides with one of the most turbulent periods in EA’s football gaming history.
Maradona’s return, which became reality on Valentine’s Day, is a win for the EA Sports FC franchise, but it won’t single-handedly rescue a game that has struggled to meet expectations.
The company’s stock price dropped 17% last month, forcing a fiscal forecast downgrade amid underwhelming sales of EA Sports FC 25. Analysts suggested EA had been caught off guard by the slow uptake, an unusual misstep for a company that has long dominated the football gaming space.
A major January gameplay update helped turn the tide, reactivating over two million Ultimate Team players and driving record engagement for the Team of the Year promotion. EA CEO Andrew Wilson hailed the turnaround, pointing to EA Sports FC Mobile’s double-digit player growth and the franchise’s long-term revenue strength. Third-quarter net bookings hit $2.215 billion, with total net revenue at $1.883 billion for the period.
However, there’s no room for complacency. Competitors like UFL, a free-to-play rival backed by Cristiano Ronaldo, and Konami’s improving eFootball are increasingly positioning themselves as viable alternatives.
Maradona’s come-back may offer EA a short-term PR boost, but questions remain over whether the franchise can sustain its dominance. The company’s planned $1 billion share repurchase signals confidence, yet the football gaming space is more competitive than ever.
Still, if anyone can breathe life into a struggling campaign, it’s Maradona. Just ask the Albiceleste faithful.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1740049881labto1740049881ofdlr1740049881owedi1740049881sni@g1740049881niwe.1740049881yrrah1740049881