For the first time since FIFA 10, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo will be the outright highest-rated player in FIFA 23.
The Ronaldo vs Messi debate has been a constant among football fans over the last 15 years, with the two having both dominated the football scene since making their debuts. Both Ronaldo and Messi have either shared the highest rating in a FIFA title or have been the sole occupier of the spot since FIFA 10. But after both players received downgrades to their FIFA 23 ratings, it truly is the end of an era.
EA Sports have begun the rollout of FIFA 23 rating reveals over the last few days, with the top 23 players, top 25 Premier League players, 25 most improved players and ambassador ratings having all been confirmed. Ronaldo's downgrade to 90 overall means he's the joint-second highest-rated player in FIFA 23, whilst Messi is ranked joint-first at 91 rated.
Despite notching 24 goals in all competitions for Manchester United last season, Ronaldo was downgraded by one rating to 90 overall. Messi grabbed 12 goals and 14 assists in all competitions during his first season with PSG, but the Argentine was decreased by two ratings from 93 to 91.
With Ronaldo and Messi 37 and 35 years old respectively, the duo aren't getting any quicker. And, on FIFA 23, both players have had their pace decreased to 81 out of 99 - a -6 to Ronaldo from FIFA 22 and a -4 to Messi.
Ronaldo had his shooting drop from 93 to 92, his passing decrease from 82 to 78 and his dribbling from 88 to 85, whilst his defending and physicality remained the same. Messi's biggest downgrade was his shooting which dropped from 92 to 89, and the legendary forward also saw his passing drop from 91 to 90, his dribbling drop from 95 to 94 and his physicality from 65 to 64.
When compared, the only stats in which Messi is rated higher than Ronaldo by EA are his passing and dribbling, whilst Ronaldo's shooting and physicality are rated higher than Messi's.
In FIFA 23, five players share the number one spot, with Messi included. Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne, Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski, Real Madrid's Karim Benzema and PSG's Kylian Mbappe are all ranked joint-first at 91 rated.
What do you make of Messi and Ronaldo's FIFA 23 player ratings? Let us know in the comments!
FIFA 23 is developed by EA Vancouver and EA Romania and will be available worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Stadia, PS4, and Xbox One on September 30. Early access for FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition begins on September 27, 2022.
