Every year, EA Sports adjusts the ratings of football stars based on their performances from the previous season. We look at the professionals who have underperformed and will thus have to expect downgrades in FIFA 23.
The official ratings of the FIFA 23 cards are not yet known. However, we can already take a look at the statistics of the football stars who could not deliver top performances last season and speculate on how significant the inevitable downgrades will be.
Here you can find everything about the release of FIFA 23.
Lionel Messi
The absolute prime of Lionel Messi seems to be coming to an end – after all, the football legend is already 35 years old. After his move to Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentine was not able to replicate his performances at FC Barcelona and managed only 11 goals and 15 assists in 34 matches.
This is still not a miserable performance, so the downgrade may not be as dramatic. However, an upgrade or even a retention of his current rating would be a very big surprise, making a new rating of 91 or 90 sound realistic.
Neymar
Neymar is an undisputed superstar talent. However, his performances and goal tally in Paris have been slightly declining year by year. Last season, the Brazilian managed 13 goals in 28 matches. Not a catastrophic performance, but simply too little for such a superstar.
So it seems difficult to maintain a 90 rating. A new overall value of 89 would be more realistic.
Luis Suarez
Last year, Suarez received an upgrade from 87 to 88. However, for FIFA 23, this could change since the Uruguayan forward recorded relatively weak numbers of 11 goals and 3 assists in 44 games during the last season. A performance for which Suarez will likely have to endure a significant downgrade.
We expect a new rating of 85.
Jadon Sancho
The former Dortmund player moved to Manchester United at the start of last season with a very strong 87 rating. However, unfortunately, the 22-year-old winger could not impress in his first Premier League season. In 38 matches, Sancho managed only 5 goals and 3 assists. Far too little for a player who cost 85 million euros in transfer fees.
In FIFA 23, his rating should definitely be lowered. An 85 would be plausible here, as Sancho is still young and can quickly return to his former strength.
Sergio Ramos
Just like Messi, Sergio Ramos also moved to PSG at the start of last season. However, injuries set back the 36-year-old center-back, resulting in limited playing time. The games he did play were solid, but do not justify an upgrade or retention of his very strong 88 rating.
It would be more realistic if EA gives the Spaniard a new rating of 85.
Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard had to endure a dramatic downgrade from 88 to 85 in FIFA 22. Unfortunately, it seems to be continuing in the same direction, as the Belgian simply cannot establish himself at Real Madrid and become an important part of the team. He managed only 1 goal and 3 assists in the 2021/22 season.
Far too little for a player who transferred to the Royals in 2019 for an incredible transfer fee of 115 million euros. By the way, at that time, the Belgian still had a rating of 91 and was the cover star of FIFA 20.
Those times are unfortunately over now, and the 31-year-old is facing a downgrade to 82.
Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire had an absolutely weak season at Manchester United, noted for numerous mistakes that led to many conceded goals. A development that has been ongoing for a while and could lead to a hefty downgrade for the English international.
He is unlikely to fall below 80 and will likely receive a new rating of 81 or 82.
What about Cristiano Ronaldo? The Portuguese had a somewhat mixed return season at Manchester United, but he managed to impress with 24 goals and 3 assists in 38 matches. Thus, it’s possible that the 37-year-old may retain his strong rating of 91 or get downgraded to a value of 90.
What do you think about the possible downgrades? Can you think of any superstars who could also get worse ratings? Feel free to let us know in the comments!
FIFA 23 is quickly approaching, and we will show you here four innovations to expect in FIFA 23.
