EA has kicked off Ratings Week in style by revealing the FIFA 23 Ambassador ratings, followed by the top 23 highest-rated cards in the entire game.
This year, Lionel Messi will be joined by five, yes FIVE players as the highest-rated cards in the game.
As many football fans expected, the GOAT has been handed a downgrade ahead of the release of FIFA 23.
However, one aspect of Messi's card, in particular, has caused quite a reaction amongst the FIFA community.
Messi Rating REVEALED
It's official, Lionel Messi has been given a -2 downgrade in FIFA 23 and will be rated as a 91 OVR card in the new game.
This downgrade will come as no surprise to most of you, given how Messi fell well below his lofty standards of the last decade.
The 35-year-old playmaker only managed to net eleven goals and pick up 15 assists in all competitions last season.
The Argentinian legend still has an unbelievable card in FIFA, boasting the highest dribbling in the game at 94, along with 90 passing and 89 shooting.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward has made an excellent start to the 2022/23 campaign, having registered three goals and seven assists in his first seven league appearances.
So, we could yet see Messi bounce back in FIFA 24 and be bumped back up to 92 OVR, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.
New Level of Lazy
One of Messi's in-game attributes, in particular, has come as a shock to the FIFA community.
EA has handed the little magician Low / Low Work Rates in FIFA 23.
So, essentially EA believes Lionel Messi does not work hard for the team in defence OR attack.
You can expect your Messi card in FIFA 23 to be pretty stationary for the 90 minutes.
Whilst this may not seem right, we believe this change is fully deserved.
The Argentina international is constantly seen slowly walking during UEFA Champions League knock-out matches, let alone in Ligue 1 games.
Whilst Messi has been praised in the past for finding space by standing still during fast-paced attacks, it has gone to a whole new level.
The winger does little to no work defensively, somewhat like his teammate Neymar, which is the main criticism of PSG's incredibly talented attacking trio.