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eFootball’s New Mode Revives Master League, But Only for a Limited Time

Master league is back!

Ever since the transition from PES to eFootball, fans have been begging for Konami to add Master League back into the game. Back in February, Konami announced that Master League would finally return. We knew from the get-go that it wouldn’t be the full, permanent revival many were hoping for, but it’s still a big moment for longtime fans.

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The new mode is called Master League Sprint, and “it’s a limited-time event inspired by the beloved ‘Master League’ from the Pro Evolution series,” as explained by Konami. The event starts today, and it sadly only lasts for a week, until April 16. Your initial squad in this mode will also have some of the original Master League players, such as Castolo and Minanda. After that, the mode will be removed from the game. There is a chance that Konami is testing the waters here for a full release later, but take that idea with a grain of salt.

How Master League Sprint Works

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In this mode, the Team Spirit rating remains crucial. Matches play out automatically based on your team’s Spirit rating, while also factoring in fatigue and form. If you have a higher spirit than the opposing team, you automatically have a better chance of winning. This encourages smart squad management, much like the original Master League. There will also be random “episodes” that take place throughout your season as a manager. For example, there will be dramatic injuries, hard-to-ignore bargain transfers, and sudden improvements from a handful of players.

You will earn points from matches that can be spent during transfer windows to sign new players (including Dream Team and Standard players). There is also the option to release players to raise funds. According to Konami, Synergy is also an important metric:

“Users play through “Synergy” matches where the team’s overall “Synergy” is influenced by players’ abilities and condition. Users manage player selection and rotation, which plays a decisive role in determining match outcomes.”

This temporary return of the Master League is part of Konami’s celebration of eFootball reaching 1 billion downloads worldwide. Many will be happy to see Master League back in any form, but the limited availability will predictably leave some feeling frustrated. A week with Master League certainly isn’t enough.

Author
Image of Asad Khan
Asad Khan
Asad is a lifelong gamer with a passion for tech, retro consoles, and uncovering hidden indie games. When he's not tweaking PC builds or diving into Metroidvanias, you'll find him carving perfect lines in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, tearing up open roads in Forza Horizon, or desperately clinging to hope with Ferrari in F1.