End of an era as EA shuts down Ultimate Team servers on classic game

There's plenty going on in the world of football gaming at the moment, with FIFA 24 and EA Sports FC set to battle it out over the coming years.

However, it's time we take a look back at one of the all-time classic FIFA editions.

Today marks the end of an era as EA has shut down the online servers of one of the most enjoyable titles in the series.

End of an era

As confirmed by @DonkTrading on Twitter, EA has shut down the FIFA 17 online servers.

It's a sad day for FUT fans. FIFA 17 brought us arguably the best season of Ultimate Team in FIFA history.

Not only was the FUT content top-tier and well-balanced, but the gameplay was so much fun.

I'm sure we all remember the insane 40-yard finesse shots that are no longer possible and the tight left-stick dribbling which seems to have been nerfed significantly over the years.

Now we are no longer able to access any FIFA 17 online game modes, including Ultimate Team, Online Seasons and Pro Clubs.

You are, however, still able to play FIFA 17 in offline modes such as Kick-Off and Career Mode.

This won't come as much of a consolation to FUT fanatics, though, as the reason for heading back onto FIFA 17 is to reminisce at our old Ultimate Team clubs by sifting through the classic special cards we had collected.

Happy memories

Speaking of special cards, FUT 17 brought us some of the all-time classics.

There are a few that spring to mind when thinking back to FIFA 17, one being Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Premier League Team of the Season card.

Zlatan earned his place in the PL TOTS by scoring 17 goals and registering a further five assists in 28 league games for Manchester United during the 2016/17 season.

The Sweeden international striker was handed an incredible 97 OVR TOTS card that boasted 99 shooting, 98 physicality, 97 dribbling and 96 passing.

FIFA 17 also coincided with the year that the greatest attacking trio of all time linked up, with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr staring for Barcelona.

All three forwards' efforts were rewarded with multiple special items throughout the FUT 17 season.

The two GOATS, Messi and Ronaldo were shining for their respective clubs in La Liga, leading to both predictably picking up TOTY items.

CR7 pipped the Argentinian to a 99 OVR TOTY card in a season where the Portuguese legend netted 42 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions.