If you want to dominate offline you need these FIFA 23 best players in Career Mode. Everyone dreams of taking their favourite team to the league title, but without great players it is impossible!
Player talent is crucial to success in FIFA 23. After all, your high-tempo passing or brilliant dribbling control isn't going to work if the player only has 2-star skill moves!
So who are the best players in FIFA 23? And will they keep their place going into FIFA 24? Let's see!
FIFA 23 best players in Career Mode
In this piece we are looking for the best players in FIFA 23, that's it pure and simple. That means high OVRs are a must. Youth and a high POT will also be important, along with high skill moves, but the most important thing is that OVR rating.
If you are looking for FIFA 23 wonderkids then this isn't the place for you, but there are a few players who are young AND already exceptional players! Let's take a look at the FIFA 23 best players in Career Mode.
Kylian Mbappe (91 OVR - 95 POT)
Team: Paris Saint-Germain
Position: ST, LW
Age: 23
Despite five players being tied at 91 OVR we are placing Kylian Mbappe at the top thanks to his massive 95 POT and being just 23 years old. Everyone knows about Mbappe. He's well on his way to breaking the all-time World Cup scoring record and is an electric player for PSG.
Having just signed a new contract and having an eye-watering €190.5 million value Mbappe is almost impossible to sign, but he's just a brilliant player.
He's got five-star skill moves and a four-star weak foot along with 97 acceleration, 97 sprint speed, 93 dribbling, and 93 finishing. In short he is spectacular and is set to be the best player in Career Mode for years to come.
Lionel Messi (91 OVR - 91 POT)
Team: Paris Saint-Germain
Position: RW
Age: 35
The magician Lionel Messi comes in at second place simply because he is now 35. In the last year of his contract at PSG, Messi could be grabbed for free in a few Career Modes.
he's got four-star skill moves and a four-star weak foot which when put together with 95 dribbling, 93 ball control, 91 short pass, and 90 finishing makes him a deadly attacking player.
Given his age Messi's sprint speed (76) is not great and his stamina (70) means you have to be careful with how you use him. If you can balance his lack of physicality though he is a wonderful player to use.
Kevin De Bruyne (91 OVR - 91 POT)
Team: Manchester City
Position: CM, CAM
Age: 31
Man City's brilliant playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is next up on our list. The impeccable centre midfielder has unparalleled creative talents and is absolutely the best midfielder in the game.
De Bruyne brings a five-star weak foot and 93 short AND long pass along with 94 crossing, 94 vision, 89 curve, and 91 long shots. He can do it all in the final third.
He's not the most mobile player with 75 acceleration and 73 sprint speed but that is less important in the middle of the pitch.
Robert Lewandowski (91 OVR - 91 POT)
Team: Barcelona
Position: ST
Age: 33
Barcelona's new star striker is next up. Lewandowski finally left Bayern for the bright sun of Cataluyna and brings his incredible goal-scoring talents with him.
Lewa's combination of 94 finishing, 91 heading accuracy, 91 shot power, and 89 volleys make him the deadliest finisher in FIFA 23. He's also got four-star skill moves and a four-star weak foot.
He's not a speedster (76 acceleration, 75 sprint speed) but Lewa does have 87 strength and 85 jumping to be a presence on crosses as well as with the ball at his feet.
Karim Benzema (91 OVR - 91 POT)
Team: Real Madrid
Position: CF, ST
Age: 34
When it comes to strikers there aren't many that can compete with Karim Benzema. Real Madrid's star man claimed the 2022 Ballon d'Or after helping Real Madrid to yet another Champions League title.
Benzema may be at the tail-end of his career but he's still a goal machine. With 92 finishing, 87 shot power, and 90 heading accuracy he's a superb striker. He's also got 82 stamina and 82 strength too, making him a solid physical player, that with his 89 short pass means he can be a pivot point for other attackers too.
Thibaut Courtois (90 OVR - 91 POT)
Team: Real Madrid
Position: GK
Age: 30
We hit the first defensively-minded player of the list in the shape of Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. At 30 years of age he's in his prime and standing at a massive 6'6" he can pluck crosses out of the air.
Courtois has 90 reflexes, 89 positioning, and 89 handling, making him a great shotstopper. His 75 GK kicking is solid and 33 short pass is decent for a goalie too.
Neymar (89 OVR - 89 POT)
Team: Paris Saint-Germain
Position: LW
Age: 30
The third PSG player on this list is the controversial Brazilian Neymar. He may have his detractors around the world but his talent on the ball cannot be denied.
Neymar hits FIFA 23 with five-star skill moves and a five-star weak foot making him utterly deadly on the ball. He also brings 95 dribbling, 93 agility, and 94 ball control with him, making him one of the best dribblers in FIFA 23 too.
Neymar's finishing (83) and passing (85 short, 81 long) isn't quite as good as it could be, but he still has plenty of speed (88 acceleration, 86 sprint speed) to carry him past defenders.
Casemiro (89 OVR - 89 POT)
Team: Manchester United
Position: CDM
Age: 30
When it comes to solidifying a defence there are none better than Casemiro. The Brazilian just moved from Real Madrid to Manchester United, bringing his ball-winning acumen to Old Trafford.
With 90 defensive awareness, 89 stand tackle, and 88 slide tackle he can break up play brilliantly. He isn't the most mobile at 30 years old but his 90 strength and 88 stamina will keep him going all game.
Casemiro is also able to contribute up the field with 84 shot and long pass and a solid 81 long shots too.
Harry Kane (89 OVR - 89 POT)
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Position: ST
Age: 28
If you want to win trophies it might be best to avoid him, but Harry Kane still checks in as one of the best players in FIFA 23.
The Spurs striker is lethal in front of goal with a 93 finishing, 92 shot power, and a five-star weak foot. He's also got strong playmaking traits with 86 long pass, 84 short pass, and 87 vision.
Kane can be an aerial threat as well, with 79 jumping, 83 strength, and 85 heading accuracy. His 6'2" frame helps him win those aerial duals as well.
Virgil van Dijk (89 OVR - 89 POT)
Team: Liverpool
Position: CB
Age: 31
The final name on our list is at last an out-and-out defender! Virgil van Dijk has been Liverpool's rock for a long time now, and in FIFA 23 he is a devastating defender.
The 6'3" centre back brings 91 defensive awareness, 91 stand tackle, and 86 slide tackle to your back four along with 89 sprint speed, 88 jumping, and a massive 93 strength. He's a threat from set pieces as well thanks to 86 heading accuracy.
More FIFA 23 best players in Career Mode
Player Name | Team | Position | Age | OVR | POT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Manuel Neuer | Bayern Munich | GK | 36 | 89 | 89 |
Jan Oblak | Atletico Madrid | GK | 29 | 89 | 90 |
Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | RW | 30 | 89 | 89 |
Joshua Kimmich | Bayern Munich | CDM, RB, CM | 27 | 89 | 90 |
Alisson | Liverpool | GK | 29 | 89 | 90 |
Erling Haaland | Man City | ST | 21 | 88 | 94 |
Luka Modric | Real Madrid | CM | 36 | 88 | 88 |
Toni Kroos | Real Madrid | CM, CDM | 32 | 88 | 88 |
Marc-Andre ter Stegen | Barcelona | GK | 30 | 88 | 89 |
Heung Min Son | Tottenham Hotspur | LW, LM, ST | 30 | 88 | 88 |