So, you’re preparing for FIFA 19, but which team will be your team this year? Picking the team you support can be risky, causing you to fall out of love with your heroes, and what if you are an Oldham Athletic fan? That’s just not going to get you very far when taking on your mates.
Just like real life football, FIFA can be played in different ways, so are you a possession man, counter-attacker, or a late smash and grabber? RealSport looks at all the best (and worst) teams on FIFA 19 as we find the best side for you to take on all-comers.
FIFA 19 Best Team: Real Madrid
5 stars – Attack 84 – Midfield 89 – Defence 86
Best players: Luka Modric (OVR 91), Sergio Ramos (OVR 91), Thibaut Courtois (OVR 90)
Ones to watch: Marco Asensio (OVR 85 – POT 93), Vinicius Junior (OVR 77 – POT 92), Alvaro Odriozola (OVR 80 – POT 88)
Transfer budget: £166 million
Wage budget: £434k
Three-time defending Champions League champions Real Madrid kick us off, and they remain the best team on FIFA 19 despite a certain Cristiano Ronaldo heading for pastures new over the summer. The strength remains in attack however, with classic number 9 Karim Benzema (OVR 84) likely to be flanked by the attacking weapon of Gareth Bale (OVR 88) and the creative Isco (OVR 89).
The strength remains across the park, with now best player Luka Modric (OVR 91) pulling the strings alongside Toni Kroos (OVR 90) in midfield. Sergio Ramos (OVR 91) captains the side and marshals the defensive line, with help from protégé Raphael Varane (OVR 86), veteran Marcelo (OVR 88) and new signing Thibaut Courtois (OVR 90) between stick.
FIFA 19 Best Attacking Team: Juventus
5 stars – Attack 89 – Midfield 85 – Defence 85
Best players: Cristiano Ronaldo (OVR 94), Paulo Dybala (OVR 89), Giorgio Chiellini (OVR 89)
Ones to watch: Rodrigo Bentancur (OVR 76 – POT 88), Moise Kean (OVR 72 – POT 87), Daniele Rugani (OVR 82 – POT 86)
Transfer budget: £101 million
Wage budget: £286k
Cristiano Ronaldo may no longer play for the best team on FIFA, but he’ll have no qualms about playing for the best attacking side. It remains to be seen whether the near £100 million arrival from Real Madrid will line up as a striker or out on the left wing, but with a host of other attacking options at Juve, you’ll have a severe selection headache on your hands.
Do you play Ronaldo central and flank him with pacey duo Douglas Costa (OVR 86) and Juan Cuadrado (OVR 84), or move CR7 to the left and have target man Mario Mandzukic (OVR 84) bullying defenders in the box? You have also got to throw the talented Paulo Dybala (OVR 89) and Federico Bernardeschi (OVR 82) into the mix, making your formation and starting lineup a lottery.
Alternative option: Tottenham Hotspur
FIFA 19 Best Defensive Team: Bayern Munich
5 stars – Attack 90 – Midfield 85 – Defence 85
Best players: Robert Lewandowski (OVR 90), Manuel Neuer (OVR 90), Mats Hummels (OVR 89)
Ones to watch: Niklas Sule (OVR 84 – POT 90), Joshua Kimmich (OVR 85 – POT 88), Leon Goretzka (OVR 83 – POT 88)
Transfer budget: £106 million
Wage budget: £197k
Bayern Munich may have the best defence on the game, but that by no means makes them a defensive team. Manuel Neuer (OVR 90) is as reliable as they come in goal, with Joshua Kimmich (OVR 85), Jerome Boateng (OVR 86), Mats Hummels (OVR 89) and David Alaba (OVR 85) providing a seemingly impenetrable back four.
That said, the full backs love to get forward to support playmakers Thiago (OVR 86) and James Rodriguez (OVR 88), with the main goal to supply lethal finisher Robert Lewandowski (OVR 90) with plenty of service.
Alternative option: Atletico Madrid
FIFA 19 Fastest Team: Liverpool
5 stars – Attack 85 – Midfield 82 – Defence 81
Best players: Mohamed Salah (OVR 88), Roberto Firmino (OVR 86), Sadio Mane (OVR 86)
Ones to watch: Naby Keita (OVR 83 – POT 88), Trent Alexander-Arnold (OVR 78 – POT 88), Joe Gomez (OVR 77 – POT 87)
Transfer budget: £94 million
Wage budget: £252k
One of the most exciting sides on the planet right now, Jurgen Klopp has revitalised Liverpool from a team struggling to qualify for Europe to Premier League and Champions League title contenders. This is largely down to the ferocious and fast front three of Mohamed Salah (OVR 88), Roberto Firmino (OVR 86) and Sadio Mane, who are the best three players in the club.
The pace and brilliance of the team doesn’t stop there, with Andrew Robertson (86 sprint speed) flying forward from left back and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (85 spring speed) breaking from midfield. As soon as you win the ball back with this Liverpool team, get the ball forward as soon as possible to get your fast men in behind the opposition defence.
Alternative option: RB Leipzig
FIFA 19 Most Creative Team: Manchester City
5 stars – Attack 85 – Midfield 87 – Defence 83
Best players: Kevin De Bruyne (OVR 91), Sergio Aguero (OVR 89), David Silva (OVR 89)
Ones to watch: Leroy Sane (OVR 86 – POT 93), Gabriel Jesus (OVR 83 – POT 92), Bernardo Silva (OVR 84 – POT 90)
Transfer budget: £168 million
Wage budget: £324k
Manchester City romped to the Premier League title last season, becoming the first side ever to reach the 100-point mark in the division. There is quality all over the pitch, but the focus is the creators-in-chief Kevin De Bruyne (OVR 91) and David Silva (OVR 89). What allows them to cause so much damage, however, is the surrounding movement.
Kyle Walker (OVR 84) and Benjamin Mendy (OVR 81) will get forward from the full back positions, whilst the assortment of wingers including Leroy Sane (OVR 86) and Raheem Sterling (OVR 85) are a nightmare for defenders. That leaves the forwards, which could be one, or both, of Sergio Aguero (OVR 89) and Gabriel Jesus (OVR 83). Playing with this dangerous City team should be as easy as it comes.
Alternative option: Barcelona
FIFA 19 Most Exciting Team: Paris Saint-Germain
5 stars – Attack 86 – Midfield 84 – Defence 82
Best players: Neymar (OVR 92), Edinson Cavani (OVR 89), Thiago Silva (OVR 88)
Ones to watch: Kylian Mbappe (OVR 87 – POT 95), Presnel Kimpembe (OVR 83 – POT 89), Adrien Rabiot (OVR 83 – POT 87)
Transfer budget: £160 million
Wage budget: £186k
Another terrifying team, just how do you keep PSG quiet? The Parisians hold the best strike trio in the world with Kylian Mbappe (OVR 87), Edinson Cavani (OVR 89) and Neymar (OVR 92), which scored 89 goals between them last season. The front three fired the club to four domestic trophies last season, but they will need assistance from the rest of the team if they are to compete in Europe this year.
In midfield, it is difficult to incorporate the attack-minded Angel Di Maria (OVR 84) and Julian Draxler (OVR 83) so you must make the most of useful players Marco Verratti (OVR 86) and Adrien Rabiot (OVR 83). Getting the balance right is crucial, and you may leave centre backs Marquinhos (OVR 84), Thiago Silva (OVR 88) and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon (OVR 88) high-and-dry if you do not offer them enough protection.
Alternative option: Napoli
FIFA 19 Most Overrated Team: Manchester United
5 stars – Attack 84 – Midfield 84 – Defence 80
Best players: David De Gea (OVR 91), Paul Pogba (OVR 88), Romelu Lukaku (OVR 87)
Ones to watch: Anthony Martial (OVR 83 – POT 89), Marcus Rashford (OVR 81 – POT 89), Angel Gomes (OVR 66 – POT 87)
Transfer budget: £167 million
Wage budget: £306k
Manchester United are starting to find some form, but no one can deny how poor the quality of football produced at Old Trafford was last season. Jose Mourinho’s style has damaged the club’s reputation and is shackling the talented players at the club.
On FIFA 19, the ratings of star men David De Gea (OVR 91) and Paul Pogba (OVR 88) are about right, but you look at the rest of the squad and you wonder if it was the Manchester United name that took these scores so high. Alexis Sanchez (OVR 87) has scored just three goals for the club since signing from Arsenal at the start of 2018, whilst Anthony Martial (OVR 83) has failed to find the net in the Premier League since January.
Alternative option: Real Betis
FIFA 19 Most Underrated Team: Roma
4.5 stars – Attack 81 – Midfield 81 – Defence 81
Best players: Kostas Manolas (OVR 85), Edin Dzeko (OVR 85), Daniele De Rossi (OVR 83)
Ones to watch: Ante Coric (OVR 76 – POT 88), Cengiz Under (OVR 77 – POT 87), Patrik Schick (OVR 77 – POT 87)
Transfer budget: £40 million
Wage budget: £150k
Roma reached the Champions League semi-finals last season, and it seems they haven’t been rewarded for their efforts on FIFA 19. Yes, they have lost key players in Liverpool’s Alisson (OVR 85), and new Inter Milan man Radja Nainggolan (OVR 85), but the Giallorossi deserve more.
New goalkeeper Robin Olsen (OVR 75) shone at the World Cup and is certainly better than his rating, with the talented Cengiz Under (OVR 77) already a serious threat to defences. The same can be said of new signing Justin Kluivert (OVR 75) with fellow arrival Steven Nzonzi (OVR 82) coming to the club as a World Cup winner. Just 11 players have an 80 or more rating on the game, which may sound impressive, but Roma are better than that now.
Alternative option: Lyon
FIFA 19 Surprise Package: Inter Milan
4.5 stars – Attack 87 – Midfield 81 – Defence 82
Best players: Samir Handanovic (OVR 88), Mauro Icardi (OVR 87), Ivan Perisic (OVR 86)
Ones to watch: Milan Skriniar (OVR 85 – POT 92), Lautaro Martinez (OVR 79 – POT 86), Keita Balde (OVR 80 – POT 85)
Transfer budget: £40 million
Wage budget: £170k
Inter Milan didn’t taste Champions League football for six years, but they are back with a bang. A 3-2 away win against fellow chasers Lazio on the final day of the season took Inter into the top four, and they have started their European campaign superbly this season. Inter bounced back to snatch a late victory off Tottenham, a vital win in a tough group with Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven.
Looking at their squad, you wonder why the Nerazzurri have been away for so long. Starting from the back, Samir Handanovic (OVR 88) is among the greatest goalkeepers in the world, and you're spoiled for choice in defence between Milan Skriniar (OVR 85), Miranda (OVR 85) and Stefan de Vrij (OVR 84). In midfield new signings Radja Nainggolan (OVR 85) can do it all, and World Cup finalist Ivan Perisic (OVR 86) provides the legs out wide whilst captain Mauro Icardi (OVR 87) bangs in the goals up front.
Alternative option: Valencia
FIFA 19 Worst Team: Bray Wanderers
0.5 star – Attack 53 – Midfield 55 – Defence 55
Best players: Jake Kelly (OVR 58), Hugh Douglas (OVR 57) Kevin Lynch (OVR 57)
Ones to watch: Cian Walsh (OVR 50 – POT 70), Dragos Mamaliga (OVR 51 – POT 67), Glen Hollywood (OVR 49 – POT 67)
Transfer budget: £470k
Wage budget: £4k
If you are looking to show how good you are against your mates, a win with Bray Wanderers is the ultimate goal. No player in the entire squad for the side is rated above 58, making it impossible to come up with any form of game plan.
Look to play patiently with the ball, with your only choice to utilise ‘star man’ Jake Kelly (OVR 58) who does have some movement with stats of 73 balance, 73 sprint speed and 71 acceleration.
Alternative option: Limerick
FIFA 19 Best International Team: Spain
5 stars – Attack 86 – Midfield 86 – Defence 86
Best players: David De Gea (OVR 91), Sergio Ramos (OVR 91), Isco (OVR 89)
Ones to watch: Marco Asensio (OVR 85 – POT 93), Saul (OVR 85 – POT 91), Kepa (OVR 83 – POT 91), Rodri (OVR 82 – POT 87)
On to the international scene, and whilst Spain had a poor World Cup their side is still exceptional on paper. This is still the case even following the international retirements of David Silva (OVR 89), Andres Iniesta (OVR 87) and Gerard Pique (OVR 87), so expect a second golden generation of Spanish football around the corner.
In the Spain lineup, you still have the quality of recent years in Sergio Ramos (OVR 91), David De Gea (OVR 91) and Isco (OVR 89), but there are new stars in Thiago (OVR 86), Saul (OVR 85) and Marco Asensio (OVR 85). The concern is, as has been the problem for Spain in recent times, is a lack of width and pace, so look to utilise the likes of Iago Aspas (OVR 85) and Rodrigo (OVR 84) effectively.
Alternative option: Germany
FIFA 19 Worst International Team: India
1 star – Attack 62 – Midfield 60 – Defence 60
Best players: Sunil Chhetri (OVR 67), Sandesh Jhingan (OVR 65), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (OVR 63)
Ones to watch: Anirudh Thapa (OVR 59 – POT 71), Ashique Kuruniyan (OVR 56 – POT 70), Udanta Singh (OVR 60 – POT 67)
On the other end of the spectrum you have India, who did qualify for the 1950 World Cup, but later withdrew meaning they are yet to play at the tournament finals. As for the Asian Cup, 2019 will mark the fourth time India travel for the AFC Asian Cup, with one of their best squads in a long time.
Sunil Chettri (OVR 67) has been a reliable forward for his country, scoring 65 goals in 102 games to earn him the captaincy. Sandesh Jhingan (OVR 65) and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (OVR 63) form a foundation at the back, but it is creatively where the issues lie for India. Look to play the ball long and into the channels and try to win the ball back early off the defence to stand a chance with the Blue Tigers.
Alternative option: Bulgaria
FIFA 19 Best Women’s Team: United States
5 stars – Attack 87 – Midfield 83 – Defence 81
Best players: Megan Rapinoe (OVR 92), Tobin Heath (OVR 89), Ashlyn Harris (OVR 89)
Ones to watch: Mallory Pugh (OVR 78 – POT 90), Rose Lavelle (OVR 77 – POT 86)
Out of the seven Women’s World Cups there have been so far, the United States have won three, and it’s a surprise it isn’t more than that. The current crop at the reigning world champs hold eight players rated 86 or higher on FIFA 19.
Megan Rapinoe (OVR 92) is the best woman on the game, and she is joined by Alex Morgan (OVR 88) and Tobin Heath (OVR 88) to make up a terrifying attack. Carli Lloyd (OVR 89) is the headline draw in midfield, with the 35-year-old central or attacking midfielder earning 259 caps for her country and scoring 102 goals. Defensive protection is also present through midfielder Julie Ertz (OVR 88), defender Becky Sauerbrunn (OVR 88) and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (OVR 87).
Alternative option: Germany
FIFA 19 Worst Women’s Team: Mexico
3.5 stars – Attack 75 – Midfield 75 – Defence 73
Best players: Charlyn Corral (OVR 82), Kenti Robles (OVR 81), Stephany Mayor (OVR 79)
Ones to watch: Cecilia Santiago (OVR 74) – POT 84), Kiana Palacios (OVR 72 – POT 83), Katie Johnson (OVR 76 – POT 82)
We finish with the worst women’s team on the game in the form of Mexico. El Tri have qualified for just three of the seven World Cups thus far, never progressing past the group stage and yet to taste a victory, but don’t underestimate them. With the differences between the women’s international teams smaller than they are with the men, upsets are easier to come by.
Although there are no world class players in the Mexico squad, there is quality in attack through Charlyn Corral (OVR 82), and she will dictate your success. In other areas, Kenti Robles (OVR 81) will bomb up from right back, doubling up on the flank with right midfielder Stephanie Mayor (OVR 79).
Alternative option: New Zealand