The latest FIFA 23 squad update has landed and Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo has been hit hard once again.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar spent nearly 20 years at the top of the game and will be remembered as one of football's greatest-ever players.
The famous number seven has won 32 trophies in his career, including seven league titles, five Champions Leagues, the European Championship and the Nations League, along with Five Ballon d'Ors and four European Golden Boots.
However, Ronaldo's reign at the top of the game is well and truly over.
The most recent squad update reflects what has been a steep and steady decline for CR7 over the past couple of seasons.
Worst since '07
The latest FIFA 23 update has seen Ronaldo's overall rating downgraded by 1 OVR, astonishingly taking him to his lowest rating since FIFA 2007.
When he was just 22 years of age and playing for Manchester United in the Premier League, the Portgual international was rated as an 87 OVR in FIFA.
CR7 then climbed the FIFA rankings and once became the highest-rated player in the entire game, with a peak rating of 94 OVR in the FIFA 17, 18 and 19 editions.
Well, we've come full circle. Ronaldo's steady decline over the past couple of seasons leaves him with the same rating that he had 16 years ago.
Now, the all-time footballing great is rated as an 87 OVR once again.
This leaves him below 27 other players in the game, including the likes of arch-rival Lionel Messi, Champions League-winning teammates Luka Modric and Toni Kroos and now young guns Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
Major downgrade
EA has decided to downgrade Cristiano Ronaldo not only in the physicality department as you'd expect but across the board.
No individual in-game stats has been downgraded too drastically, though, with the largest changes only being a -2 to his crossing, short passing and dribbling.
The once prolific marksman's shot power, finishing, composure and positioning have all taken a hit, showing that it's clear EA believes he is no longer capable of scoring the goals he used to.
The latest FIFA 23 update sees Ronaldo's following in-game stats changed:
- Crossing 78 -> 77
- Finishing 91 -> 90
- Short Passing 78 -> 76
- Volleys 85 -> 84
- Dribbling 81 -> 79
- Ball Control 87 -> 86
- Acceleration 76 -> 75
- Reactions 90 -> 89
- Shot Power 93 -> 92
- Long Shots 88 -> 87
- Positioning 93 -> 92
- Composure 94 -> 93
All hope is not lost
Despite yet another downgrade in FIFA, Ronaldo's base FUT 23 rating will remain the same for the entirety of the game cycle.
This means you still have time to enjoy the legend whilst he is still near the peak of his powers within Ultimate Team.
Ronaldo's FUT 23 item is one of the more meta cards in the game, boasting 92 Shooting, 85 Dribbling and 81 Pace along with five-star skill moves and a four-star weak foot.
CR7's new Al Nassr item is currently priced at 50,000 coins on the PlayStation and Xbox market, whilst his Man United version sells for over 60,00 coins.
So, take this opportunity to play with Ronaldo, before it's too late.