Football Manager 2022's Winter Update is here, with staff changes, transfers and bug fixes all being added to the game.
The annual update also brings it with some ratings tweaks, with some MAJOR superstars seeing their stats crash through the floor.
Whilst some notable stars have received well-earned boosts, let us know if you think these downgrades are deserved.
MAJOR Star Downgraded
Arguably the two greatest players to ever grace the game, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, have taken MASSIVE hits in the FM22 Winter Update.
Ronaldo, for instance, has seen stats like pace drop from 16 to 13, decisions also from 16 to 13, with his overall rating now placing him as the 30th best player in the game.
Ronaldo now has the same ability level as Jack Grealish, a seemingly harsh downgrade for a player who has still provided some important moments for his club this season.
However, with the Portuguese star turning 37, it is good to see that FM is keeping its roots in realism, rather than worrying about star power.
Top Rated Stars
Of course, there have been some changes to the Football Manager rating hierarchy, with Robert Lewandowski now considered the best player in FM22 at the start of the game, the Polish powerhouse retaining a current ability rating of 190.
Despite a poor season for Spurs, England captain Harry Kane sneaks into the top ten as well, with Lionel Messi now considered the fourth-best player in the game, equal to his PSG colleague Kylian Mbappe.
The top ten players in Football Manager 2022 following the Winter Update are:
- Robert Lewandowski (CA 190)
- Kevin De Bruyne (CA 187)
- Kylian Mbappe (CA 186)
- Lionel Messi (CA 186)
- Mo Salah (CA 184)
- Karim Benzema (CA 180)
- Virgil van Dijk (CA 180)
- Neymar (CA 180)
- Harry Kane (CA 179)
- Thibaut Courtois (CA 178)
Best Teams To Use
The Football Manager 2022 Winter Update has seen major January transfers reflected in-game, with the likes of Phillipe Coutinho returning to the Premier League with Aston Villa.
Newcastle have spent big, with Everton also making a claim to become a Premier League dark horse following the arrival of the Winter Update.
With a number of clubs making changes on mass in the winter months, the path ahead in FM22 looks to be more exciting and challenging than ever before.