Kolkata: FIFA 21, the famed title from EA Sports is set to be released on October 6 for which the Top 100 player ratings are already out. Every year millions of fans eagerly anticipate the release of the player ratings and this year is no different.
Despite losing a rating point, Lionel Messi still holds the top stop with a rating of 93 followed by his Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo who has 92. Following a breakthrough year, Robert Lewandowski takes the third spot with a rating of 91.
NEW INDUCTEES IN THE TOP 100
A total of 18 players have been inducted in the Top 100 this year. Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, after being crowned PFA Young Player of the year, also received the biggest stat boost in the game; from 83 last year to 87 this year.
Erling Braut Haland also made a massive jump from 73 (FIFA20‘s rating at the time of release) to 84 in FIFA 21. His rating was boosted to 79 in FIFA 20 winter update itself.
Other top gainers are Jadon Sancho, Serge Gnabry, Timo Werner and Kai Havertz; all of whom had successful seasons on the field.
At the age of 33, Jamie Vardy has also been included in the FIFA Top 100 for the first time in his career after winning the Premier League Golden Boot last season. The Leicester City striker has a new rating of 86, which puts him on par with Paul Pogba, Marco Verratti and Thomas Muller.
BIGGEST CLIMBS IN TERMS OF RANKING
Bruno Fernandes achieved a massive leap from 99th rank to 44th, thanks to an impressive season at Manchester United. Another big jump was by Ciro Immobile, who shot 40 steps up from 70th to 30th. He was awarded the European Golden Shoe last season thanks to 36 goals for Lazio.
A similar kind of ranking improvement was offered to Fabinho. The defensive midfielder rose to 44th from 82nd. Few other major gainers are Andrew Robertson, Roberto Firmino, Hakim Ziyech and Joshua Kimmich.
BIGGEST SLIDES IN TERMS OF RANKING
Belgian star Eden Hazard suffered one of the steepest slides in rating points. The Real Madrid forward’s rating has been come down from 91 in the previous year to 88 this year. As a result, Hazard who was at 4th last year has been thrown out of the top 20 this year, ranked at 22.
2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric too fell from rank 9 all the way down to 29. However, the two most dramatic descent in rankings were of Antoine Griezmann and Giorgio Chiellini. Both had their overall ratings slashed from 89 last year to 87 this year. Griezmann slipped 18 places from 20th to 38th while Chiellini slid down to 47th from 14th just in space of a year.
THE TOP 10 RANKED PLAYERS
1. Lionel Messi (Overall rating points: 93)
In spite of one rating point docked from his profile, Messi is still the top-rated player — three years in a row.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Overall rating points: 92)
Three years in a row, Ronaldo holds the no.2 position with unchanged rating points.
3. Robert Lewandowski (Overall rating points: 91)
From a ranked 15th last year, straight into the top 3 with a two-point buff in the overall ratings.
4. Kevin De Bruyne (Overall rating points: 91)
Best Premier League player according to EA Sports.
5. Neymar (Overall rating points: 91)
After a consistent rating of 92 four-years in a row, Neymar has been docked one rating point this year costing him his position in top 3.
6. Jan Oblak (Overall rating points: 91)
The best goalkeeper in the game.
7. Virgil van Dijk (Overall rating points: 90)
Still the best defender in the game at rank 7 for the second year running.
8. Kylian Mbappe (Overall rating points: 90)
With a bump of one rating point, Mbappe is up to three places from 11th last year. He is also featured as the cover star for this year’s game.
9. Mohamed Salah (Overall rating points: 90)
Although he slipped a place from last year, his dribbling skills have increased to 90.
10. Sadio Mane (Overall rating points: 90)
Concluding the list at number 10 is Sadio Mane. A new inductee in the top 10.
The full list of the top 100 players can be found at the EA Sports official website. All the fans will be looking forward to October 6 when the game will be out on various platforms. The game is currently listed at a price of Rs. 3999 on Amazon.
