TEAM 2 TOTY Icons Official Descriptions

  POSTED January 23, 2023

New TOTY Icons are coming soon and their descriptions have been added to the game code. Check them out.

 Ronaldinho TOTY Icon

RONALDINHO

Barcelona’s league fixture against Sevilla in September 2003 bizarrely kicked off at five minutes past midnight, but the match was the stuff of dreams for Ronaldinho who, on his home debut, scored his first Barcelona goal. After receiving the ball from the goalkeeper inside his own half, Ronaldinho carried it up the pitch, danced around two Sevilla players and smashed a shot from 30 yards out in off the crossbar to score a goal that helped set the tone for the rest of his Barcelona career.

 Van Der Saar TOTY Icon

VAN DER SAR

Edwin van der Sar enjoyed a record-breaking season as Manchester United finished ahead of rivals Liverpool to secure the 2008-09 Premier League title. Following a loss to Arsenal, van der Sar kept 14 straight league clean sheets and, in the process, set records for minutes played without conceding. After setting a new Premier League record, he then broke the topflight world record in February 2009. The run eventually came to an end at 1,311 minutes when he conceded against Newcastle United in March.

 Gerd Müller TOTY Icon

MÃœLLER

Gerd Müller had already netted some key goals for Bayern München on their way to the 1974-75 European Cup Final, but they paled in comparison to his calm finish from close range in the latter stages of a tightly contested showdown with Leeds United. Having taken the lead after 71 minutes, Müller netted his side's second 10 minutes later to set the Bavarians well on their way to the second of three back-to-back European Cup triumphs in the mid-70s.

 Ashley Cole TOTY Icon

COLE

Widely regarded as one of the best defenders in Premier League history, but not known for his goalscoring ability, Ashley Cole opened his Stamford Bridge account in style for Chelsea against Burnley in the 2009-10 season. The left-back patiently assessed his options on the ball before slipping a pass to his teammate, Frank Lampard. Lampard then lifted the ball into the space behind the Burnley defense for Cole to race onto and masterfully strike first-time, high into the goal.

 Xabi Alonso TOTY Icon

XABI ALONSO

Xabi Alonso was known for his incredible composure and passing range and he gave the Anfield faithful a goal many will never forget against Newcastle in the 2006-07 campaign. The Spanish holding midfielder won possession of the ball and calmly retained it before firing an audacious shot on goal from the edge of the center circle inside his own half. The strike caught the Newcastle goalkeeper by surprise and resulted in a truly spectacular goal.

 Claude Makélélé TOTY Icon

MAKÉLÉLÉ

Claude Makélélé spent five seasons at Chelsea and, in November 2006, he scored his second goal for the club in a London derby away to rivals Tottenham Hotspur. With the Blues dominating the opening exchanges, in the 15th minute a corner was headed clear to the edge of the box where Makélélé was waiting. After taking a step to his left he unleashed a stunning volley from 25 yards, slicing across the ball with the outside of his foot, sending it curling into the bottom corner.

 Alessandro Nesta TOTY Icon

NESTA

The final goal of Alessandro Nesta’s illustrious career came in October 2011 when AC Milan travelled to Stadio Olimpico to face Roma. Milan took the lead, then Roma hit back to equalize in the 28th minute. However, just 2 minutes later, Nesta used his experience to expertly anticipate a corner and find enough space to meet the cross with a low placed header, which re-established Milan’s lead. They went on to win the match 3-2.