The best players in EA FC 25

After years of two players dominating the EA FC (formerly FIFA) ratings, it’s refreshing to see some variety at the top of the tree.

Of course, we refer to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have now been overthrown by their younger competitors in the rankings. They’re still hanging around in EA FC 25, but they’re no longer centre of attention.

But who are the players that have usurped the serial Ballon d’Or winners? Here are the 50 highest-rated players in this year’s game.

If it’s someone devilishly fast you want at left-back, look no further than Milan’s Theo Hernandez. The France international won’t lose too many battles out wide in EA FC 25 thanks largely to his 89 physical rating, but he can also deliver going forward with 76 shooting.

Club: Roma
Nationality: Argentina
Position: CAM

Serie A star Paulo Dybala is a threat in four areas of EA FC 25. It’s his 89 dribbling that stands out, but 80 pace, 85 shooting and 84 passing make the Argentinian a wonderful option at CAM.

Club: Wolfsburg
Nationality: Germany
Position: ST

Wolfsburg may have lost the deadly Ewa Pajor up top but they still have experienced Germany striker Alexandra Popp to call upon. If you’re a player who appreciates the art of the headed goal, Popp could be an excellent addition to your team.

Club: Arsenal
Nationality: England
Position: RW

Arsenal pushed Manchester City all the way once again in last season’s Premier League title race, with Bukayo Saka instrumental to their chase. Another positive campaign has seen him handed an upgrade, swapping 86 for an impressive 87 overall rating.

There are plenty of Bundesliga wonderkids available on EA FC 25 but Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala could be the most fun in-game. The Germany international has five-star skill moves and four-star weak foot to go alongside his awesome 90 dribbling.

There are some seriously mercurial cards in Turkey’s Super Lig and a team spearheaded by 87-rated Victor Osimhen would be capable of dismantling most opponents in EA FC 25. The Nigerian is rapid with 89 pace and can finish chances with 84 shooting.

Club: Arsenal
Nationality: France
Position: CB

Also key to Arsenal’s 2023/24 success was William Saliba, who rightfully stands among the world’s best defenders in EA FC 25. The Frenchman’s impressive start to the new campaign highlights his continued importance to Mikel Arteta’s men.

Club: Borussia Dortmund
Nationality: Switzerland
Position: GK

Gregor Kobel produced some monster performances for Borussia Dortmund en route to last term’s Champions League final, with the Swiss goalkeeper comfortably among EA FC 25’s most eye-catching stoppers.

Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Nationality: Germany
Position: CAM

The 2023/24 Bundesliga Player of the Season, Florian Wirtz helped Bayer Leverkusen go unbeaten domestically last term. He’s started the new campaign on fire and has received an upgrade of +3 in EA FC 25 as he continues to blossom into a world-beater.

Club: Lyon
Nationality: Chile
Position: GK

The highest-rated female goalkeeper in EA FC 25, Christiane Endler was key to Lyon reaching the Champions League final last season. The Chile international boasts a superb range of stats, with great reflexes and distribution.

Club: Real Madrid
Nationality: Germany
Position: CB

After proving impenetrable for Real Madrid en route to Champions League and La Liga glory, Antonio Rudiger has been rewarded with an upgrade of +3 in EA FC 25. The 82-pace central defender is every striker’s nightmare in this year’s game.

Club: Barcelona
Nationality: Spain
Position: CB

Few defenders cut as imposing a figure as Irene Paredes, who marshalled the Barcelona defence masterfully last term as the Catalan giants won the quadruple. With decent pace, excellent defending and fantastic physical stats, she’ll be tough to beat in EA FC 25.

Club: Atletico Madrid
Nationality: Slovenia
Position: GK

Jan Oblak consistently lands himself in the high-80s in EA FC (and formerly FIFA) and the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper has managed to repeat that feat this year. At 88 overall, only three goalkeepers can better his rating.

Club: Chelsea
Nationality: Norway
Position: LM

Guro Reiten is one of a legion of magical Norwegians that make up the top 50 EA FC 25 players, coming in at 88 overall. The Chelsea winger is bound to be popular with her impressive array of attacking stats.

Club: Lyon
Nationality: France
Position: CB

One of the leading defenders in the women’s game, Wendie Renard’s 88 overall rating is somewhat undermined by her 48 pace. That makes her borderline unusable in Ultimate Team, but she could be handy in Career Mode.

Club: Arsenal
Nationality: England
Position: RW

Beth Mead struggled with injuries in 2023/24 but has still been handed an upgrade of +1 following her consistently sparkling performances with Arsenal and England. The winger has magnificent all-round stats, even if her pace is a small weakness.

Club: Manchester City
Nationality: Portugal
Position: CM

Man City’s diminutive Portuguese magician is as silky as he is consistent for English football’s most dominant club side. Under Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva has shown his technical gifts, versatility and winning mentality.

Club: Manchester City
Nationality: Brazil
Position: GK

If you’re looking to play a progressive game, passing out from the back at every opportunity, then Man City’s Ederson is essential. The goalkeeper leads his peers for distribution in EA FC 25 and is not too shabby with his hands either.

Club: Real Madrid
Nationality: Uruguay
Position: CM

A member of the ‘Gullit Gang’, Federico Valverde boasts at least 80 in all six key stats. A midfield gladiator who oozes class in possession, the Uruguayan is likely to be incredibly meta in EA FC 25 – and therefore largely unstoppable.

Club: Barcelona
Nationality: Spain
Position: CDM

Citing Andres Iniesta as her hero growing up, Patricia Guijarro now stands where the great 2010 World Cup winner once stood in EA FC. With an 88 rating, the defensive midfielder excels in both halves, much like her idol.

Club: Barcelona
Nationality: Poland
Position: ST

Robert Lewandowski may have received a downgrade of -2 in EA FC 25 but he’s still a deadly finisher. With 88 shooting and immense physicals, the Barcelona star remains a major threat anywhere within 40 yards of goal.

Club: Manchester City
Nationality: Portugal
Position: CB

Ruben Dias is a throwback central defender who prioritises winning duels over speed and fancy passes. However, that does impact his usefulness in EA FC despite a gargantuan 88 overall rating, with 67 pace concerning.

Club: Atletico Madrid
Nationality: France
Position: ST

Back to his best in recent seasons, Antoine Griezmann enjoyed another impressive year with Atletico Madrid while playing as part of a front two. An effortless technician, he could be an under-appreciated gem in EA FC 25.

Club: Lyon
Nationality: France
Position: RW

Lyon’s speedy winger will be a very, very popular option in EA FC 25. 90 pace is lovely but when you team it with 85 shooting and 88 dribbling, you have a hell of a player on your hands.

Club: Kansas City Current
Nationality: Brazil
Position: CAM

The classy Brazilian can also play in RM as well as her favoured CAM role, with Debinha a perfect player to pull the strings in behind your speedy centre-forward. With great pace, passing and dribbling, she’s an all-round attacking threat.

Club: Inter Miami
Nationality: Argentina
Position: RW

Long gone are the days where Lionel Messi was comfortably topping the rankings alongside rival Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Argentine now just 88 overall. For mere mortals that would be an incredible rating but for Messi it feels awful low.

Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Nationality: France
Position: ST

Marie-Antoinette Katoto boasts a frightening goalscoring return for both PSG and France, with her remarkable sharpshooting evidenced by some excellent EA FC 25 stats. Only a few players can better her 87 shooting.

Club: Manchester City
Nationality: England
Position: RW

After clinching the Premier League Player of the Season award for 2023/24 following his most devastating campaign with Man City, Phil Foden’s +3 upgrade puts him within the 25 best players in this year’s game. Capable of playing LW and CAM, he will prove tough to stop.

Club: Liverpool
Nationality: Egypt
Position: RW

Mohamed Salah’s real life consistency is more than matched by his consistency in pixel form. The clinical speedster has been rated 89 or higher every year since FIFA 19 and boasts another sensational card in EA FC 25 that blends agility and acceleration with a dynamite left boot.

Club: Barcelona
Nationality: Germany
Position: GK

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is one of four goalkeepers rated 89 in this year’s game – the joint highest overall of any player in his position. The Barcelona stopper has sensational distribution and cat-like reflexes, making him the perfect addition for any side keen to take risks at the back.

Club: Liverpool
Nationality: Netherlands
Position: CB

The highest-rated men’s defender in EA FC 25 following a resurgent year with the Reds, Virgil van Dijk promises to be an expensive acquisition in Career Mode and Ultimate Team. However, the financial outlay will be worth it when you get the imperious Dutchman in your squad.

Club: Barcelona
Nationality: Spain
Position: CB

Officially the highest-rated female defender in EA FC 25, Mapi Leon has earned an 89 rating following her incredible success with Barcelona since 2017. Only Lyon’s Renard can improve on the centre-back’s 90 defending.

Club: Inter
Nationality: Argentina
Position: ST

Lautaro Martinez has often blown hot and cold for club and country, but 2023/24 was a stellar campaign for the Argentine. After helping Inter secure the scudetto, finishing the season as Serie A top scorer, he then grabbed the Copa America in the summer by scoring a tournament-high five goals.

Club: Lyon
Nationality: Norway
Position: ST

The former Ballon d’Or winner continues to astound with Lyon in France and netted 21 times in 25 matches last term for her club. That’s probably why she has 89 shooting, a stat bettered by only three players in EA FC 25.

Club: Real Madrid
Nationality: Belgium
Position: GK

An injury-hit 2023/24 still finished with Champions League glory for Thibaut Courtois, who has been downgraded by -1 on EA FC 25. That’s likely due to his absence between the sticks but he will be aiming to return to his 90 rating for next year’s game.

Club: Liverpool
Nationality: Brazil
Position: GK

Van Dijk’s presence certainly makes Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson’s job significantly easier, but the Brazilian is still regularly called upon between the sticks. The Premier League’s highest-rated stopper boasts incredible reflexes and positioning, perfect for winning one-v-ones.

Club: Portland Thorns
Nationality: United States
Position: ST

Capable of playing as a ST or RW, Sophia Smith’s 93 pace, 86 shooting, 89 dribbling and 84 physical make her an outrageous proposition on EA FC 25. The Portland Thorns forward can do a little bit of everything and will be unstoppable with her five-star weak foot.

Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Nationality: Italy
Position: GK

Gianluigi Donnarumma has not had the easiest year at PSG with some high-profile errors drawing attention to the Italian’s displays. However, when on song, the former Milan man’s enormous frame and quick reactions make him darn difficult to score past.

Club: Arsenal
Nationality: Norway
Position: CM

An upgrade of +2 is fitting for a player who has been integral to Arsenal’s recent ascendancy, with skipper Martin Odegaard the key creative force for one of Europe’s most enjoyable teams to watch. The magical Norwegian’s passing and shooting makes him a lethal threat around the penalty area.

Club: Bayern Munich
Nationality: England
Position: ST

Harry Kane’s trophy curse has had no bearing on his EA FC 25 rating as the Bayern Munich striker comes in at 90 overall once again. The England skipper’s game-high 93 shooting stat somewhat makes up for a lack of pace. Just fire at goal as soon as you get Kane on the ball.

Club: Chelsea
Nationality: Australia
Position: ST

Injuries were also the prevailing theme of Sam Kerr’s season with Chelsea and the Australian missed much of their hard-earned Women’s Super League triumph. Her 90 rating hasn’t been impacted by her lack of game time though, with the striker an all-rounder up top.

Club: Manchester City
Nationality: Belgium
Position: CM

Kevin De Bruyne may have missed half of the 2023/24 campaign with injury but the masterful Belgian made up for lost time with his impressive form down the stretch. The Man City midfielder’s 94 passing is unsurprisingly the highest in EA FC 25.

Club: Barcelona
Nationality: Norway
Position: RW

Somehow still not Norway’s best player, Caroline Graham Hansen enjoyed a ridiculous season with Barca as they won the quadruple. The ruthless winger was Liga F’s top goalscorer last term and has deservedly retained her 90 overall rating.

Club: Real Madrid
Nationality: Brazil
Position: LW

Scoring in a second Champions League final with Real Madrid in 2023/24, Vinicius Junior took his game to a new level last season. The indefatigable winger was a goal machine and keen provider down the left flank, or featuring as part of a front two. He will be a menace on EA FC 25 with an astounding 95 pace.

Club: Barcelona
Nationality: Spain
Position: CM

The two-time Ballon d’Or winner returned from a significant injury in 2023/24 and contributed to Barca’s dominance both domestically and on the continent. While it wasn’t Alexia Putellas’ most productive year, she still scored in the Champions League final.

Club: Real Madrid
Nationality: England
Position: CAM

Jude Bellingham took no time adjusting to life in the Spanish capital, with his early season 2023/24 form particularly important to Real Madrid’s eventual success. He’s received a handsome upgrade of +4 in EA FC 25 and is the face of the game, featuring on both the Standard and Ultimate Edition covers.

Club: Manchester City
Nationality: Norway
Position: ST

Another goal-laden season for Norway’s finest Erling Haaland means there is no change in the Man City striker’s exceptional rating this year. After breaking record after record after record with the Premier League champions, he has somehow seen his pace and shooting reduced by one each.

Club: Barcelona
Nationality: Spain
Position: CM

There is no surprise to see 2023 Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati gracing the top table. She is the current queen of women’s football, scoring in the Champions League final last season en route to the quadruple.

Club: Manchester City
Nationality: Spain
Position: CDM

Few players have seen their stock rise as swiftly as Rodri over the past few seasons but, fresh from scoring the Champions League final winner in 2022/23, Rodri enjoyed another astonishing campaign that ended with Premier League and Euro 2024 glory. The best defensive midfielder in world football – and it’s not even close.

Club: Real Madrid
Nationality: France
Position: ST

Finally, Kylian Mbappe is a Real Madrid player in EA FC. It’s been a long time coming and the French superstar has been rewarded with a 91 overall rating in this year’s game. No one can better his pace or dribbling, with 90 shooting also rather handy. Just ridiculous.

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