Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi has been confirmed as the best player in the upcoming FIFA 22 video game.
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski is the second-highest rated footballer in the latest edition of the popular franchise, while Messi’s long-term rival, Manchester United man Cristiano Ronaldo, has to make do with being third overall.
PSG have a strong showing in the list of the best players in the game, with Messi’s team-mates Kylian Mbappe and Neymar rated fifth and sixth, behind Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.
FIFA 22 best players in full
| Rank | Player | Position | FIFA 22 rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | RW | 93 |
| 2 | Robert Lewandowski | ST | 92 |
| =3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | ST | 91 |
| =3 | Kevin De Bruyne | CM | 91 |
| =3 | Kylian Mbappe | ST | 91 |
| =3 | Neymar | LW | 91 |
| =3 | Jan Oblak | GK | 91 |
| =8 | Harry Kane | ST | 90 |
| =8 | N’Golo Kante | CDM | 90 |
| =8 | Manuel Neuer | GK | 90 |
| =8 | Marc-Andre ter Stegen | GK | 90 |
| =12 | Mohamed Salah | RW | 89 |
| =12 | Gianluigi Donnarumma | GK | 89 |
| =12 | Karim Benzema | ST | 89 |
| =12 | Virgil van Dijk | CB | 89 |
| =12 | Joshua Kimmich | CDM | 89 |
| =12 | Heung-min Son | LM | 89 |
| =12 | Alisson | GK | 89 |
| =12 | Thibaut Courtois | GK | 89 |
| =12 | Casemiro | CDM | 89 |
| =12 | Ederson | GK | 89 |
| =12 | Sadio Mane | LW | 89 |
The bigger picture
Virtually all of FIFA 22’s top players will be in action later this week when they turn their attention to their respective European campaigns.
Messi, Lewandowski and Ronaldo will headline a week of Champions League action, while Kane will be the highest-ranked player competing in the newly-created Europa Conference League.
All will be hoping to set their respective sides on the path to continental glory, as the game begins a long, winding path to next spring’s showpiece finals.
