The highly anticipated player ratings for EA Sports FC 26 have been revealed, sparking debate and excitement among fans. This year sees a significant shift at the top, with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah joining Kylian Mbappé at the summit of the men's player ratings. Both players boast an impressive 91 overall rating (OVR), making them the joint highest-rated players in the game.
Salah's rise to the top is a testament to his outstanding performances for Liverpool, where he recorded 34 goals and 23 assists, securing his second Premier League title with the Reds. Mbappé, despite not winning a major trophy in his first season with Real Madrid, maintained his 91 OVR, a reflection of his consistent brilliance. He scored 44 goals and provided 5 assists in all competitions last season.
Notably absent from the top echelon are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. In fact, Ronaldo doesn't even feature in the top 50. Messi barely makes the cut with an 86 rating, a two-point drop from the previous season. This absence signifies a changing of the guard, with a new generation of stars taking center stage. The last time Messi and Ronaldo were the two highest-rated players in a FIFA game was in FIFA 21.
The top 10 is dominated by familiar faces and rising stars. Ousmane Dembele, fresh off a UEFA Champions League win with Paris Saint-Germain, is rated 90 OVR. Manchester City's Rodri, Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk, Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, and Manchester City's Erling Haaland also join the 90-rated club. Barcelona's Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, along with Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi, round out the top 10, all with an impressive 89 OVR.
Lamine Yamal's inclusion is particularly noteworthy, as the Barcelona teenage sensation has seen a meteoric rise in his rating, receiving the biggest upgrade in the game with a massive +8 points since FC 25. This impressive leap launches him into the top 10 for the first time in his young career.
Several other players have received significant upgrades, reflecting their outstanding performances. PSG players like Dembélé, Hakimi, and Vitinha have all been boosted after their team's success last season. However, some players, including Harry Kane and Vinícius Júnior, have seen slight downgrades despite strong individual campaigns.
The goalkeeping position is also well-represented, with Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alisson Becker leading the way with 89 ratings.
The full EA Sports FC 26 ratings database contains over 20,000 players from over 760 clubs and with more than 35 playable leagues. The full list will be revealed by September 13th, with the game set to release worldwide on September 26th. The release of these ratings has already ignited passionate debates among fans, highlighting the importance of these virtual rankings in the football gaming community.
