Until we learn the ratings of all players in FIFA 21, it will probably take a little longer. Nevertheless, there are a few candidates who will certainly be among the top players in the game. Here are 7 players who will be ranked high in the next FIFA.
How do players make it onto the list? Since there are no official values for FIFA 21 yet, we’ll take a look at the real performances of the players. Who stood out the most? Who celebrated great successes?
Additionally, it is essential to consider the previous FIFA values. Therefore, we also look at the values in FIFA 20 to identify the candidates for the best cards in FIFA 21. This is how the selection of the following 7 players comes about.
One more note: Goalkeepers like Jan Oblak and Alisson have been left out of this selection for now. We also did not include the icons in FIFA 21. This selection focuses solely on active field players.
Lionel Messi
Here’s why Messi is a candidate: Clearly, when it comes to the best players in FIFA 21, one cannot overlook the multiple frontrunner. Messi has been described as the best player in the world for years and consistently justifies this with his performances. Even this year, he scored 25 goals in 33 league matches and provided 21 assists. In FIFA 20, he had the highest rating with his 94-rated card.
However, despite his good values, Messi did not have the best season with Barcelona. The Spanish championship was surrendered to Real Madrid, and Barcelona suffered a shocking defeat against Bayern (with 8:2!) in the Champions League. Moreover, Messi is now 33 years old – and typically, the FIFA rating of players over 30 tends to decrease. It is conceivable that Messi will not secure the first position this year – although he will surely receive a strong card.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Here’s why Ronaldo is a candidate: If you say A, you must also say B – and if you mention Messi, you must do the same with Ronaldo. Messi’s eternal rival for the World Footballer title had a rating of 93 and was the second-best player in FIFA 20. In the league, he won the Italian championship with Juventus and scored 31 goals in 33 matches. The man still scores at will.
But the same arguments apply to Ronaldo as to Messi: he is now 35 years old, and he was eliminated with Juve in the Round of 16 against Lyon. He will certainly still receive a very good card above 90 – but will that be enough for one of the top two spots? After all, there are a few more candidates.
Neymar
Here’s why Neymar is a candidate: Neymar has long been regarded as the great promise of world football. The Brazilian can do everything with the ball, is a goal threat, and undeniably has a strong presence on the field. However, he has repeatedly attracted attention for his difficult behavior both on and off the pitch. And with Paris Saint-Germain, he has almost notoriously missed early successes in the Champions League. Until this year.
Currently, Neymar is in the final of this year’s competition. The team around the Brazilian has come together – and Neymar himself has also impressed with his performance. In FIFA 20, he was the third-best player behind Messi and Ronaldo. If PSG should win the Champions League, it could be another step forward for Neymar.
Kylian Mbappé
Here’s why Mbappé is a candidate: Since we’re already talking about PSG, Kylian Mbappé must not be overlooked. The French superstar is already a world champion at 21, a two-time top scorer in France, and of course, like Neymar, also represented in the Champions League final.
Furthermore, Mbappé is the cover star for FIFA 21 – and this is usually an indicator of strong ratings. The striker is among the fastest and most dangerous players in FIFA 20, but narrowly missed the top 10 of the best players with an overall rating of 89. We are confident: This will not happen to him in FIFA 21.
Virgil van Dijk
Here’s why van Dijk is a candidate: While Mbappé graces the cover this year, van Dijk was one of the three stars of FIFA 20. With his rating of 90, he was already the best defender in the game and is sure to improve this value in FIFA 21. After all, he was one of the key players who helped Liverpool secure the English championship after years of waiting.
Van Dijk accumulated special cards en masse in FUT 20, and even in FIFA 21, he will be among the absolute top players. It’s just unlikely that he will receive the best card in the game – partly because offensive players are typically prioritized here.
Robert Lewandowski
Here’s why Lewandowski is a candidate: It’s the eternal story with the striker of FC Bayern. For years, fans have considered him underrated in FIFA, and last year he even received a downgrade to 89 that no one could understand. No wonder that this year he is among the Bundesliga players who urgently need better ratings.
Because Lewandowski is an absolute goal machine: he scored 34 goals in 31 Bundesliga matches. An incredible 14 goals in 8 Champions League matches – subject to the semi-final against Lyon – were added. Many even consider him a candidate for the World Footballer title – and in the Champions League, he still has a chance for the title. It’s hard to believe that the striker won’t be at least in the top 10 of the best players next year. The only counter-argument: that was actually already the case in FIFA 20.
Kevin de Bruyne
Here’s why de Bruyne is a candidate: Kevin De Bruyne was already one of the best players overall last year with his rating of 91. And he has impressed again this year: In the league, he scored 13 times and provided 20 additional assists. With these assists, he matched the record of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
Even though Manchester City had to concede to Liverpool in the title race this year and bid farewell in the Champions League against Lyon: De Bruyne is at 29 years old in the prime of his career and has consistently impressed with his performance throughout the year. It is unlikely that his rating of 91 will be downgraded – and thus he would definitely remain one of the best players in the game.
Which players ultimately rank highest will likely only be revealed in the coming weeks. Here you can find all the currently known information about FIFA 21.
