EAFC 24: The Best Cards Released Celebrating FUT Birthday

The EA FC 24 FUT Birthday celebration is in full swing, marking a significant event in the Ultimate Team calendar. This year, the festivities have been nothing short of spectacular, with a plethora of special cards, objectives, and Squad Building Challenges that have players buzzing with excitement.

The Essence of FUT Birthday

First introduced as a way to celebrate the anniversary of the FIFA Ultimate Team mode, FUT Birthday has evolved into an annual event that players eagerly anticipate. It’s a time when the developers roll out some of the most innovative and exciting content of the year, blending nostalgia with fresh gameplay elements. This year's edition, which kicked off on March 15, 2024, has already set a new benchmark in terms of player engagement and content richness.

As we all now know, the FIFA name is no longer attached to EA Sports‘ soccer simulation spectacular. Last summer, world football's governing body and the Canadian games developer were unable to reach an agreement on a new rights deal, with the former seeking up to $1bn for a four-year deal, a figure that the latter was clearly unwilling to play. However, it is FIFA themselves who are now paying the price, as the game has continued rolling on under the new name of EAFC, while the FIFA name toils without a buyer.

But even so, the name FUT – meaning FIFA Ultimate Team – continues to be used by both gamers and developers, as demonstrated by the FUT Birthday we are all currently celebrating. And let's face it, why wouldn't it? Under the name of FUT, both EA Sports and FIFA catapulted the world of online and competitive gaming into the mainstream, so much so that bookies offering esports betting have emerged, something that was simply unfathomable just over a decade ago.

Now, gamers can bet on all their favorite games including FIFA, CS:GO and Dota 2, amongst many others. The latter of those three has a huge competition taking place in Birmingham next month named ESL One, and it's a tournament, in which popular Esports odds made both Team Falcons and Team Spirit the joint +300 favorites to win. Had it not been for FUT revolutionizing the gaming space, such events may have never taken place.

Objectives and SBCs

A hallmark of the FUT Birthday celebration is the array of objectives and Squad Building Challenges designed to engage players in diverse and rewarding ways. The SBCs have been particularly intriguing, offering rewards that include high-rated players and exclusive packs. One standout is the 91-rated Ultimate Birthday Icon Hagi SBC, which has garnered attention for its balance of challenge and reward.

The Star-Studded Lineup

The FUT Birthday event has always been about celebrating in style, and EA FC 24 has not disappointed. A series of special cards have been released, offering players the chance to incorporate some of the game's legends and current stars into their squads with boosted stats and unique abilities.

Notable mentions include a 97-rated Pele card, positioned as a CAM, and a 94-rated Mohamed Salah among others. The former of that duo is currently the highest-rated card released thus far and with stats such as 95 pace, 96 shooting and 96 dribbling, its clear to see why current owners of the card asking for a whopping 15m coins to secure his services. The Egyptian King will set you back a more modest 5m coins, but with stats like 93 pace, 92 shooting, 90 passing and 94 dribbling, the Liverpool ace is no less impressive.

Icons like Gullit and Messi also make appearances, with their cards receiving significant upgrades. For the Dutch supremo, he is now rated 94 overall but is only available in a special SBC. Inter Miami's world champion and reigning Ballon d'Or holder has been boosted to 94 overall and will set you back almost 6m coins if you are to secure his services. La Pulga's new upgrades transform him into the player that terrorised defences all over Europe with Barcelona around a decade ago, winning four UEFA Champions League crowns in the process.

Accessibility is a key aspect of this year's FUT Birthday event. While there are some figures that simply make you gawk, some other players are much more affordable. Messi's Miami teammate Jordi Alba for example will set you back just over 20,000 coins, despite being rated as one of the best left-backs on the game, with an 89 overall rating and blindingly fast 90 pace. Elsewhere, 89-rated versions of Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Captain Amerca himself Christian Pulisic and Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth are all available around the 30,000 coins mark.

If it is icons you are interested in, then there is plenty of value to be found there as well. Upgraded versions of the World Cup's all-time record goalscorer Miroslav Klose and former Manchester United captain Roy Keane are both available for under 150,000 coins, while Arsenal's iconic flying Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp is available for under 250k.

Looking Forward

As we look ahead, the anticipation for the upcoming releases and surprises remains high. With the FUT Birthday event set to continue until early April, players can expect more special cards, objectives, and SBCs to be unveiled. This ongoing rollout keeps the community engaged and ensures that the FUT Birthday celebration remains a dynamic and evolving experience.