Everything changes in the FIFA 23 rating guide. With the reign of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo officially over, FIFA 23 sees a new face in the rankings for the first time in a decade. Messi pretty much makes it into the top five, but his longtime rival drops to eighth place. Who is on top? Step forward, Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema. Below, we profile the top seven players in the game before ranking the top 23 stars in your FIFA 23 rating list.
1. Karim Benzema (CF, Real Madrid) – 91
Real scored their first Champions League win in four years last season, setting a record 14th overall – twice as much as second-placed AC Milan. Benzema’s goals were the driving force, as he found the nets astonishing 15 times in 12 European matches. Reward: Highest scoring card in Ultimate Team with 88 Shooting, 87 Dribbling and 83 Passing. Expect a 99-point special item before the season ends.
2. Robert Lewandowski (ST, Barcelona) – 91
Again the top spot is dodging the excellent Pole, which eats goals faster than you and I eat cereal. 238 goals in 255 games – and eight years – saw Barcelona finally come in the summer and compete with Benzema for both individual and team honors. Despite this, he has to settle for second place in FIFA 23. 71 Pace will outlast many online players, but those who like a more patient approach can enjoy 94 Positions, 94 Finishing and 89 Physicals.
3. Kylian Mbappe (ST, Paris SG) – 91
The PSG marvel is in third place, while a Speed rating of 97 ensures that there isn’t a more expensive player in this year’s game – at least among active players. (Icons are always a law unto themselves.) Unlike Benzema and Lewa, French football’s new big hope has yet to claim Champions League winners’ medals, but PSG’s abysmal financial situation suggests that will soon change. Other hot ratings include 93 Finishing, 92 Positioning, and 93 Agility.
4. Kevin De Bruyne (CM, Manchester City) – 91
The ballet-toed Belgian is just as great in FIFA 23 as he was in FPL. And, uh, real life. A Defense rating of 64 means you’ll probably want to switch him to secondary CAM, where he’s strong at letting opponents down with 94 Sights, 93 Short Passes, and 93 Long Passes. And when enemies dive deep in hopes of cutting through the passing corridors, enjoy their efforts to flap the fort with 92 Shot Power and 91 Long Shots.
5. Lionel Messi (RW, Paris SG) – 91
Is it falling out of grace or holding on to a late career? Honestly, a little of both. Messi may not be the best in the world anymore, but he is still a fear he must face in both Ligue 1 and FIFA 23. Notable numbers: 96 Balance, 95, Dribbling, 95 Balance and 93 Ball Control. Yes, I told you he was pretty good.
6. Mohamed Salah (WR, Liverpool) – 90
Salah joins Bruyne in completing the double sick for Chelsea fans – the two of them have both moved away from Stamford Bridge only to return to the Premier League and steer their new side to the league title. Sadio Mane’s departure made it a little easier to defend him in real life, but the same cannot be said on the digital pitch. Meet him in Division Rivals and you’re up against 93 Finishing, 93 Reactions and 90 Speed.
7. Virgil van Dijk (CB, Liverpool – 90)
All the more reason to celebrate at Merseyside as the Reds knocked tough defender Cristiano Ronaldo out of the top seven for the first time in a decade. Van Dijk usually does each year’s meta lineup despite always having an astronomical price tag, and figures like 91 Sprint Speed, 92 Defensive Awareness, and 93 Strength ensure this year will be no different.
FIFA 23 best players list
- 1. Karim Benzema (CF Real Madrid) – 91
- 2. Robert Lewandowski (ST, Barcelona) – 91
- 3. Kylian Mbappe (ST, Paris SG) – 91
- 4. Kevin De Bruyne (CM, Manchester City) – 91
- 5. Lionel Messi (RW, Paris SG) – 91
- 6. Mohamed Salah (RW, Liverpool – 90
- 7. Virgil van Dijk (CB, Liverpool – 90)
- 8. Cristiano Ronaldo (ST, Manchester United) – 90
- 9. Thibaut Courtois (GK, Real Madrid) – 90
- 10. Manuel Neuer (GK, FC Bayern) – 90
- 11. Neymar Jr (LW, Paris SG) – 89
- 12. Son Heung-Min (Left, Tottenham) – 89
- 13. Sadio Mané (LM, FC Bayern) – 89
- 14. Joshua Kimmich (LM, FC Bayern) – 89
- 15. Casemiro, (CDM, Manchester United) – 89
- 16. Alisson (GK, Liverpool) – 89
- 17. Harry Kane (ST, Tottenham) – 89
- 18. Ederson, (GK, Manchester City) – 89
- 19. N’golo Kante (CDM, Chelsea) – 89
- 20. Jan Oblak (GK, Atletico Madrid) – 89
- 21. Erling Haaland (ST, Manchester City) – 88
- 22. Toni Kroos (CM, Real Madrid) – 88
- 23. Marquinhos (CB, Paris SG) – 88
