FIFA 21 Career Mode: Barcelona –Ratings, Line-Up, Potential, Guide, Transfers & more

Barcelona are one of the biggest clubs in the world, so success is the only option if you take them on as manager on FIFA 21 Career Mode.

Argentine legend Lionel Messi is the best player on the game, but will you build your team around the ageing superstar or start afresh?

Squad

Barca have several top youngsters in their ranks, but will you get them in the first XI?

Starting XI

We think keeping Lionel Messi is your best option but getting the best out of him is the next challenge.

As his pace declines, Messi needs to play in a more central role behind the striker which is why we have opted for a 4-2-3-1 narrow formation.

Antoine Griezmann starts as the lone striker, with Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele either side of Messi.

In midfield, Frenkie de Jong’s pace and stamina will make up for the ageing Sergio Busquets, who can focus his energy on shielding the back four.

Full backs Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba will be able to bomb forward and provide width. Experienced centre back Gerard Pique partners the more mobile Clement Lenglet, with top-class keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen behind them.

Bench

Norberto Neto (OVR 82) is a more than capable backup goalkeeper and can be great cover for cup competitions.

The expectation is for your fullbacks to get up and down, so we think having cover on both sides is necessary with Sergino Dest (OVR 75) and Junior Firpo (OVR 79). French defender Samuel Umtiti (OVR 83) is the central defensive substitute.

Bosnian maestro Miralem Pjanic (OVR 85) offers an alternative in midfield and can excel in a deeplying playmaker role.

In attack we think Ansu Fati (OVR 76) and Trincao (OVR 78) are your best two options as impact subs, although it does leave you a striker short if Griezmann is forced off.

Reserves

There are several young players you want to keep around the squad!

Firstly, Riqui Puig (OVR 75) and Pedri (OVR 72) will quickly become first team regulars, given the right amount of game time.

Carles Alena (OVR 74) is another academy product who can become a useful member of the squad.

Danish striker Martin Braithwaite (OVR 76) must stay in the squad until another striker has been signed.

Tactics

Get the full backs to join the attack and make sure they are set to overlap! This will free up the likes of Coutinho and Dembele to drift inside.

To balance the attacking full backs, Busquets should stay back while or attacking or drop between defenders, depending on your preference.

Give Messi license to free roam. You want your star man on the ball as much as possible to create and score goals.

Transfers

Once you resolve the Messi saga, your priorities should be a striker!

Out

You will have a healthy starting budget at Barca, so don’t concern yourself with selling too much.

There are a number of younger players who may not ever make the first team but selling them all may not be your best option.

A couple of loan spells could increase their value and bring in some bigger profits further down the line.

In

Sign one of the best strikers. Harry Kane (OVR 88), Robert Lewandowski (OVR 91) and Kylian Mbappe (OVR 90) are already the finished article so these should be on your radar.

Younger stars Lautaro Martinez (OVR 84) and Erling Haaland (OVR 84) are also excellent options too and will become two of the best on the game.

Young defenders Dayot Upamecano (OVR 80) and Alphonso Davies (OVR 81) can be great signings for the future.

Training

Promising youngsters Trincao, Fati and Pedri should all be high priority, although they are currently all left sided forwards.

Looking ahead, you may want one of these stars to shift centrally or to the right. At 6’0”, we think Trincao could play as the striker with Pedri and Fati either side, so set him on a ST development plan.

Right back Dest will eventually replace Roberto in the first team, so helping him as much as possible is the smart thing to do.

Barcelona Squad List

READ MORE: FIFA 21 Team of the Week 8 Predictions