This game was so close to being special

I have been playing Fifa and FUT for over 10 years. Stopped playing two years ago because I felt the gameplay got worse each year and accepted that EAFC just isn't for me anymore.
I wanted to try it out again this year and I was so excited the first day. The game felt awesome. Truly felt like the best football game I've ever played. The manual defending was so difficult but it made the game so fun. You actually had to focus and be skilled instead of just spamming paces and relying on pace, as it been the past few years. Players like Messi and George Best felt amazing to use, even if they don't have pace like other players. But now it felt like we're back to were we've been the last few years. Players don't control the defender that are defending you because the AI do it for you. Diaby is the GOAT yet again because pace is the easiest way to break down a defence. Using players like Messi is just dumb because we as players need to accept that if you don't follow the Meta strictly, you're just making it difficult for yourself for no reason.
It might be just me and the old heads, but it really felt like the last chance for EA to make a good football game and it was so close. The game truly felt amazing before the changes.

I must say that the improvements in the market are great. Doesn't feel like EA spams special high level cards at the same level. This is also one thing that made me stop playing. But it feels like it's at a slower pace this year.