One of the most anticipated announcements in the build-up to the launch of any new FIFA game is the player ratings.
FIFA fans love to know which player will reign as the best player in the game for the upcoming year, and with the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo over the footballing world during the last decade - it's always fun to see which player EA have judged to be better than the other.
In the latest instalment of the FIFA franchise, FIFA 22, Messi takes the crown for the highest-rated player in the game, with the Argentina international being the only 93-rated player in the game.
Throughout the EA Sports FIFA franchise's history, there are some world-class legends of the game who once reigned victorious in FIFA - a couple of whom have now have returned to FIFA after their retirement as FUT Icon Items.
So, we know that Messi and Ronaldo have been the duo on top over the last few years, but who were the best FIFA players in every FIFA since FIFA 2000?
To find out, we made a list of the three highest-rated players in every FIFA from FIFA 2000 to 22, with some interesting and surprising inclusions along the way.
The highest-rated FIFA players in history from FIFA 00
FIFA 2000
- Ronaldo (Inter Milan) - 97 overall
- Zinedine Zidane (Juventus) - 96 rated
- Rivaldo (Barcelona) - 96 rated
In FIFA 2000, Ronaldo entered the new century as the best player in FIFA, ranking at 97 out of 99 - the joint highest in the entire list.
The Brazilian was playing in Italy with Inter Milan at the time, and he was joined in the list by fellow Brazilian Rivaldo, and league opponent Zinedine Zidane, who was playing in Italy with Juventus at the time.
FIFA 2001
Rivaldo (Barcelona) - 96 rated
- Zinedine Zidane (Juventus) - 95 rated
- Luis Figo (Real Madrid) - 94 rated
Rivaldo became the number one player in FIFA in 2001 - maintaining his 96 rating whilst Zidane and Ronaldo both dropped, the latter completely out of the top 10.
In his place, Luis Figo moved into the top three in the same season he made the daring switch from Barcelona to Real Madrid.
FIFA 2002
Luis Figo (Real Madrid) - 97 rated
Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan) - 95 overall
Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid) - 94 rated
After an incredible start to life in Madrid, Figo increased by three ratings in FIFA 2002 - becoming the highest rated player in the game and the joint-highest in this list.
Zidane - now at Real Madrid - saw his rating decrease but remained in the top three, and AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko burst into the top three at 95 overall.
FIFA 2003
- Matteo Brighi (Juventus) - 97 rated
- Oliver Kahn (Bayern Munich) - 95 rated
- Edgar Davids (Juventus) - 94 overall
In FIFA 2003, the top three players saw a complete change, with relatively unknown Juventus youngster Matteo Brighi topping the list with a 97 rating!
Brighi was a hugely promising defensive midfielder but due to various injuries, he never really fulfilled his potential in real-life.
Bayern Munich's Oliver Kahn was 95 rated in FIFA 2003, whilst Juventus' Edgar Davids completed the top three.
FIFA 2004
Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - 98 overall
- Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid) - 96 overall
- Thierry Henry (Arsenal) - 95 overall
After a drastic change in 2003, the top three players in FIFA 04 featured two regularly featured players - Zidane and Ronaldo, with the latter now at Real Madrid.
Thierry Henry was also in the list at 95 rated, but it was Ronaldo who took the top spot, giving an incredible 98 rating.
FIFA 2005
- Thierry Henry (Arsenal) - 97 overall
- Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) - 97 overall
- Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid) - 96 rated
Not only was Arsenal's Thiery Henry the highest-rated player in FIFA 2005, but the joint highest-rated player in this entire list.
Henry and Zidane have gone on to retire and return to FIFA as Icon Items, whilst Gianluigi Buffon is still playing at 43 years old for Parma.
Interestingly, Newcastle's Kieron Dyer was rated 88 out of 99 in FIFA 2005 - higher than Wayne Rooney, Roberto Carlos and Xavi.
FIFA 06
- Ronaldinho (Barcelona) - 95 overall
- Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) - 95 overall
- Gianluigi Buffon - (Juventus) - 95 overall
Henry saw his rating sliced from 97 to 92 in FIFA 06 as he dropped out of the number one spot, with Ronaldinho stealing the crown.
FIFA 07
- Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) - 92 overall
Gianluigi Buffon - (Juventus) - 92 overall
Gregory Coupet (Lyon) - 92 overall
Wayne Rooney was the highest-rated player in FIFA 07 - 92 rated at just 20 years old. Buffon remained in the top three once again, whilst Ronaldinho dropped out of the top three from 95 to 91 overall. Lyon 'keeper Gregory Coupet completed the top three at 92 rated.
FIFA 08
Ronaldinho (Barcelona) - 91 overall
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) - 91 overall
Gianluigi Buffon - (Juventus) - 91 overall
In FIFA 08, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Buffon were all joint highest-rated in the game - the first time Ronaldo featured in the top three.
FIFA 09
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) - 91 overall
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) - 91 overall
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 90 rated
And so it begins. FIFA 09, the first FIFA where Ronaldo and Messi were in the top three - with Ronaldo and Casillas joint highest-rated.
FIFA 10
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 90 rated
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) - 90 overall
Julio Cesar (Inter Milan) - 89 rated
Surprisingly, Ronaldo dropped out of the top three and decreased to 89 overall in FIFA 10, the same year where he made his record-breaking transfer to Real Madrid.
For the second and last time in this list, two goalkeepers were in the top three, with Julio Cesar joining Messi and Casillas.
FIFA 11
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 90 rated
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - 89 overall
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) - 89 overall
FIFA 11 had the lowest-rated top three out of this list, with two players rated 89 overall, making Messi the outright highest-rated player for the first time.
FIFA 12
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 94 rated
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - 92 overall
- Xavi (Barcelona) - 92 overall
A real fans-favourite FIFA, for the first time, a goalkeeper was not included in the three highest-rated players, with Messi, Ronaldo and Xavi making up the top three.
FIFA 13
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 94 rated
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - 92 overall
- Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) - 90 overall
After an incredible season with Bayern Munich which saw the Frenchman lift the Champions League, Franck Ribery broke into the three highest rated players on FIFA 13 at 90 rated.
Messi, once again, remained as the number one.
FIFA 14
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 94 rated
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - 92 overall
- Falcao (Atletico Madrid) - 90 overall
Atletico Madrid striker Falcao was made the third-best player in FIFA at 90 rated, but it was Messi who was the highest-rated player for the fourth consecutive year
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FIFA 15
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 93 rated
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - 92 overall
- Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) - 90 overall
In FIFA 15, Messi was handed his first downgrade in FIFA as the gap between the Argentine and Ronaldo slimmed to just one rating, but Messi remained the highest-rated player for the sixth year in a row.
Manuel Neuer took the third spot after helping Germany to the 2014 World Cup trophy.
FIFA 16
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 94 rated
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - 93 overall
Suarez (Barcelona) - 90 rated
After their incredible season which saw Barcelona win the Champions League, La Liga and Copa Del Rey, Messi was increased back to 94 rated and Suarez became the third-best player in FIFA, with the final member of 'MSN', Neymar, 88 rated.
FIFA 17
FIFA 17 saw Messi knocked off his perch as the highest-rated player in FIFA for the first time since FIFA 09, with Ronaldo having one of his best seasons as he increased to 94 rated - making him the highest-rated player in FIFA 17.
FIFA 18
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - 94 overall
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 93 rated
- Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) - 92 rated
In an attempt to further his chances at winning a Balon d'Or, Neymar moved away from Barcelona to PSG in 2017, putting an end to the MSN era at Barcelona.
It didn't affect the performances of Messi though, with the forward remaining at 93 rated, meaning Ronaldo was the best player in FIFA 18.
FIFA 19
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 94 rated
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) - 94 overall
- Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) - 92 rated
Another FIFA, another big transfer. This time, Ronaldo put an end to his nine-year spell at Real Madrid and moved to Juventus, and for the fourth consecutive FIFA, the top three consisted of Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar - the former two both joint-top once again at 94 rated.
FIFA 20
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 94 rated
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) - 93 overall
- Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) - 92 rated
FIFA 20 saw Messi become the outright highest-rated player once again after Ronaldo dropped from 93 to 92 - the first time Messi was back in front since FIFA 16.
FIFA 21
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - 93 rated
Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) - 92 overall
- Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) - 91 rated
The five-year reign of Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar as the top three came to an end in FIFA 21, with Atletico madrid moving up to third highest-rated.
Both Messi and Ronaldo saw their ratings decrease by one overall rating, but the Argentine remained the highest-rated.
FIFA 22
- Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain) - 93 rated
- Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - 92 overall
- Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) - 91 overall
The summer building up to FIFA 22 saw Messi move to PSG and Ronaldo move to Manchester United, however, the latter was downgraded once again as he dropped out of the top three for the first time since FIFA 10.
Kylian Mbappe joined the party at 91 overall, with Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak, Man City's Kevin De Bruyne, Neymar and Ronaldo also rated at 91.
What do you think of this list? Are there any players you think had missed out? Let us know in the comments below!
Powered by Football, EA SPORTS FIFA 22 brings the game even closer to the real thing with a new season of innovation across every mode and groundbreaking next-gen HyperMotion gameplay technology on PlayStation5 that elevates every moment of the match.
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As a dedicated FIFA enthusiast with an in-depth understanding of the game's history and player ratings, I can provide valuable insights into the concepts mentioned in the article. My expertise is not only grounded in a comprehensive knowledge of FIFA but also supported by a passion for the game and an analytical approach to player statistics and performance. Now, let's delve into the information presented in the article.
Player Ratings and FIFA Franchise: The article revolves around the highly anticipated player ratings in the FIFA game series, a tradition that excites fans before the launch of each new installment. The player ratings are crucial, as they determine the in-game performance of footballers, making them a central focus for FIFA enthusiasts.
Dominance of Messi and Ronaldo: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the FIFA player ratings over the last decade. Their rivalry and competition for the highest-rated player position add an extra layer of excitement for fans. In FIFA 22, Messi takes the crown as the highest-rated player, emphasizing the continued influence of these football legends in the virtual realm.
Historical Evolution of Player Ratings: The article takes a retrospective look at the highest-rated players in FIFA from FIFA 2000 to FIFA 22, highlighting the top three players in each edition. Notable changes, surprises, and shifts in player ratings are discussed, providing a historical perspective on the evolution of player ratings in the FIFA franchise.
FUT Icon Items: The article also mentions the return of some world-class legends of the game as FUT (FIFA Ultimate Team) Icon Items. This adds another layer to the FIFA gaming experience, allowing players to build teams that include legendary figures from the past.
Individual FIFA Editions and Notable Players: The article provides insights into specific FIFA editions, showcasing the highest-rated players and any significant changes in the top three from FIFA 2000 to FIFA 22. Notable players like Ronaldo, Zidane, Figo, Messi, and others are featured, emphasizing their impact on the virtual football world.
Surprising Inclusions and Changes: Throughout the article, there are mentions of surprising inclusions and changes in the top-rated players, adding an element of unpredictability and excitement for fans. For instance, the unexpected rise of Matteo Brighi in FIFA 2003 or the shift in the top three in FIFA 11 with lower overall ratings.
Transfer Impact on Player Ratings: The article notes instances where player transfers influenced their FIFA ratings. For example, Neymar's move to PSG in FIFA 18 and Ronaldo's switch to Juventus in FIFA 19 are highlighted, showcasing how real-life transfers impact virtual player ratings.
FIFA 22 Ratings and New Entrants: In the latest edition, FIFA 22, the article details the top three highest-rated players—Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, and Kylian Mbappe. The introduction of new entrants like Mbappe and the absence of Ronaldo in the top three for the first time since FIFA 10 are discussed.
Community Engagement: The article encourages reader engagement by inviting opinions on the presented list and asking if there are any players they think were missed out. This reflects the interactive nature of the FIFA community, where discussions about player ratings and rankings are common.
In summary, this comprehensive analysis provides a journey through the history of FIFA player ratings, showcasing the evolving landscape of virtual football and the enduring impact of iconic players on the gaming experience.
