The EA Sports final and latest instalment is now available FIFAVideo game franchises are only weeks away
The anticipation grows for the in-game performance of their favorite players.
The Athletic cannot give you every player, but here is an analysis of the top 23.
FIFA 23: The Best Young Players
Lionel Messi (1st =):The little magician is once again top of the FIFA rankings. But while last year he stood alone, this time he is joined by four more of the world’s best and most in-form players. Though last season was Messi’s least productive concerning goals and assists for more than a decade, he won Ligue 1 in his debut yearWith Paris Saint-Germain and confirmed qualification for this winter’s World Cup with Argentina. Messi, now 35, has joined forces with fellow alumnus PSG forwards Kylian Mbappe and Neymar – who both also feature in this list – scoring four goals and registering seven assists in nine matches across all competitions.
Kylian Mbappe (1st =). It was never going to be long until the face of the FIFA franchise became the game’s highest-rated player. The electric Frenchman’s 47 combined Ligue 1 goals and assists for PSG in 2021-22 made it the most prolific season of his career, so it is perhaps a surprise he did not receive an upgrade on his rating from FIFA 22.
Robert Lewandowski (1st =).Lewandowski is now the highest-rated FIFA player and the subject of what was arguably the largest transfer of the summer. Bayern Munich was the striker who ended an eight-year relationship with them. Lewandowski joined BarcelonaHe will be firing them to at the upcoming event. La Liga Champions League glory.
Karim Benzema (1st =):When Cristiano RonaldoPlease leave for JuventusFootball fans could have been forgiven if they thought so in 2018’s summer. Real Madrid’s latest era of European dominance was over. They had no idea how well Benzema could fill his shoes. In May, the Frenchman won his fifth Champions League. He also scored 27 goals in 32 La Liga appearances to win a fourth Spanish title. The favourite for the 2022 Ballon d’Or firmly deserves his seat at football’s top table.
Kevin De Bruyne (1st =):The only representative of the Premier League in FIFA’s top five, De Bruyne is the game’s highest-rated midfielder. De Bruyne was the Belgia playmaker who starred in Manchester CityAs they won their fourth Premier League title in five seasons, the team is in great form. They will start the 2022-23 campaign behind a Norwegian man who might be on this list soon.
Cristiano Ronaldo (6th =):Ronaldo is receiving a slight downgrade, as he will not be playing in the Champions League for the first time since 2002-03, his debut year at Sporting Lisbon. Although it is a new initiative Manchester UnitedErik ten Hag, manager, has preferred Marcus RashfordAlthough he has been at the front of the pack in recent weeks, the 37 year-old will undoubtedly still play an important role. PortugalIn November, he will be hosting his fifth World Cup.
Mohamed Salah (6th =):Salah is both the highest-rated African player, and joint-second most-rated Premier League player. There are many things to be happy about. After the World Cup, Salah will not play. EgyptSalah won’t be able to qualify but he will no doubt record another strong season of goalscoring. LiverpoolDespite his and their slow start.
Manuel Neuer (6th =):Neuer is the first goalkeeper to be added to the list. His FIFA 22 rating will remain. The 36-year old Neuer will be able to add to his remarkable 113 caps provided he keeps fit. Germanyat the World Cup, and remain an ever-present for perennial BundesligaBayern is the champion
Virgil van Dijk (6th =):Van Dijk, the FIFA highest-rated defensive player, has been upgraded by one. The imposing Dutchman is known for his impressive individual attributes. He has 81 pace and 91 defense, making him one of the most sought-after players in FIFA.
Thibaut Courtois (6th =):Courtois, fresh from his first Champions League final win and a trophy-laden career of success, gets a nice plus one upgrade to FIFA 22. Courtois has been a very popular goalkeeper because of his size and ability to stop shots. You can expect Courtois to be in lots of Ultimate Team squads this season.
Ederson (11th =):Ederson, who is the third of five goalkeepers on this list remains unchanged from his FIFA 22 89 rating. The Premier League’s most skilled passer at the goalkeeper position, Ederson, is perhaps the best. BrazilInternational will compete AlissonTo represent their country at the World Cup Qatar.
Casemiro (11th=): Recently signed as the player to remedy Manchester United’s issues in midfield, Casemiro is a world-class 63-cap international and serial trophy winner. Casemiro, who has a great reputation and won the fifth Champions League title as well as the third La Liga crown with Real Madrid, will now face a new challenge in Premier League.
N’Golo Kante (11th =):Kante was a favourite choice for Ultimate Team. He will still be used extensively in Premier League sides, despite his pace being slowed. Due to injury, Kante has seen his overall rating drop slightly to 90 from 89. However, he is expected back to holders France’s squad for the World Cup and play a significant role for Chelsea again under new head coach Graham Potter.
Neymar (11th =).Neymar leaves The 90 Club for first time since FIFA 16 The now 30-year-old had an injury-hit 2021-22 season, scoring 13 goals while appearing in just 22 of PSG’s 38 league games, and falls to 89 as a result. Brazil’s talisman appears to be back on an upward trajectory ahead of the World Cup, however, netting eight times and providing six assists in the seven Ligue 1 matches so far this season.
Jan Oblak (11th =).Oblak is still a highly-rated player in the game, despite a difficult season. Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Oblak is a graduate of Benfica’s renowned academy. His high rating and unusual nationality will make him a popular choice for Ultimate Team sides inspired by La Liga.
Harry Kane (11th =):As England captain, much is expected of Kane this season as the men’s team look to replicate in Qatar the exploits of the women’s side who won Euro 2022. He is a little lower in overall rating but his shooting score of 91 and passing score of 83 make him interesting to consider in a more reserved role on FIFA. This role is similar to that he currently plays. Tottenham under Antonio Conte.
Joshua Kimmich (11th =):Kimmich is a skilled midfielder and still holds his FIFA 22 89 rating. The Germany international has a very well-rounded rating, with ratings of 83 or more in defending, passing and dribbling, which reflects his role at the bottom of the midfield for 10-in a row Bundesliga champions Bayern.
Son Heung-min (11th =):Son might feel somewhat disappointed after collecting his Premier League Golden Boot. Regardless, his deadly attacking trio of 88 pace, 89 shooting and 86 dribbling will again make ‘Sonaldo’ one of the most feared and impactful players on Ultimate Team.
Alisson (11th =:) Widely considered one of the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history, Liverpool’s ever-reliable shot-stopper keeps his impressive 89 rating from FIFA 22. Brazilian 29-year old was part of a winning side that won two domestic cups and also lost the Champions League final.
Sadio Mane (11th =):Bayern fans will have the chance to see Mane, after eight years of playing in the Premier League. Mane made the move from Liverpool to Bayern this summer. Although the SenegalAlthough international may take some speed and dribbling mistakes, he will still be one of the most explosive and dangerous players on Ultimate Team.
Erling Haaland (21st =): Based on his performance in his Premier League debut season, it seems that Haaland might have been sold a little short by the FIFA rating team with an 88 Ultimate Team card. He became the quickest player to reach 10 goals in Premier League history last weekend, when he scored the opener in Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Aston VillaThere are no signs that things will slow down.
Toni Kroos (21st =):Kroos, a true legend of the game and FIFA 22’s 88 rating, is still in good standing. Along with famed midfield running-mate Luka Modric, the 32-year-old collected his fifth Champions League winner’s medal when Real Madrid beat Liverpool in Paris in May, signifying a career spent at the top of the European game.
Marquinhos (21st =): The fourth and final entrant from PSG’s star-studded side, Marquinhos is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the world. His 88 rating is a reflection of a balanced card that includes 79 pace and 75 passing. He also has 89 defending, 89 physical, and 74 dribbling. This highlights his ability to cover midfield for France’s champions. This fifth Brazilian player will be at his best at 28 years old and travel to the World Cup.
(Top image: EA Sports. Design: Eamonn Dalton)
