FIFA 18 Player Ratings Revealed: Who’s up and who’s down? (Updated)


So the FIFA 18 ratings are complete, and as expected Cristiano Ronaldo reigns supreme, sustaining his 94 rating. The top five players have all kept their ratings from FIFA 17, but there is plenty of change behind them with the players ranked from ten to six all improving, so don’t be surprised if there is change halfway through the season. Despite all the controversy, EA Sports have got it right there or thereabouts, so we will leave all the squabbling up to you. 

Toni Kroos OVR 88 > 90

Kroos-FIFA-18.jpg
click to enlarge
+ 13

The biggest climber inside the top ten is Real Madrid playmaker Toni Kroos. Los Galacticos may have the firepower of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in attack, but Kroos is the man who runs the team. The German chalked up 12 assists in La Liga last season, as Real Madrid took the title along with another Champions League crown. With three Bundesligas, three German cups, a La Liga, three Champions Leagues, three Club World Cups and a World Cup winners medal under his belt, it remains to be seen what else the 27-year-old wants to achieve.

The ninth best player on FIFA 18 sees four of his Ultimate Team stats boosted, with his passing remaining at a superb 88. Some stats are still questionable, with just 50 pace, 70 physicality and 73 defending Kroos can be targeted in defence. The central midfielder is still good value on FIFA 17, costing 20,500 coins on PlayStation 4 and 18,000 on Xbox One.

Lionel Messi – OVR 93 – 93

Messi-FIFA-18.jpg
click to enlarge
+ 13

None of the top ten fall in rating, but Lionel Messi has seen some his stats fall for FIFA 18. The Argentine has to deal with falling behind Cristiano Ronaldo once again this season, and he will be a touch miffed with 37 goals in La Liga last season. With Neymar departing for Paris Saint-Germain, the onus will fall heavily on Messi this season, and he will have to be firing on all cylinders if Barca are to take the Spanish crown back of Real Madrid. Now 30, the Argentine will want to prove, like Ronaldo, that there is plenty left in the tank, and a fifth Champions League title would show exactly that.

His stats are slightly controversial this season, with none of his Ultimate Team attributes improving, with his dribbling, his best skill, being knocked down from 96 to 95. Despite that, he will still undoubtedly be a favourite and nightmare to play against on Ultimate Team. On FIFA 17, he will still cost a whopping 470,000 coins on PS4 and almost 400,000 on XB1.

Gianluigi Buffon – OVR 88 > 89

Buffon-FIFA-18.jpg
click to enlarge
+ 13

Being ranked the 13th best player on FIFA 18 at the age of 39 is an outrageous achievement. Gianluigi Buffon made his professional debut back in 1995, and 10 Serie A titles, four Coppa Italias, a UEFA Cup and a World Cup later, the goalie is still at the top of his game. With compatriot Gianluigi Donnarumma slowly emerging as one of the world’s best at the age of just 18, this could be Buffon’s swansong in Italy as he searches for the Champions League title that has escaped him.

Buffon looks set to be the third best goalkeeper on FIFA 18, but you would be surprised if any of the others on the game has his longevity. The former Parma ‘keeper’s diving improves from 87 to 89, with his kicking making a big jump of six to 74. The Italian legend is an affordable option on FIFA 17, costing around 11,000 coins on both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. 

Gareth Bale – OVR 90 > 89

Bale-FIFA-18.jpg
click to enlarge
+ 13

Despite still being the best British player out there, Gareth Bale suffers a decrease in rating for FIFA 18. Injury was an issue over the 2016/17 season for the Welshman, limited to just 19 league games last season and 27 overall. Nine goals in all competitions is a poor return playing in Real Madrid’s front line, and for the first time since moving to the Bernabeu, Bale will have fierce competition for his place.

It’s a big season for the right winger, with a return to the Premier League looking more an likely with every passing summer. Strangely, none of Bale’s six Ultimate Team stats take a drop, which perhaps highlights how little of his entire stats have sunk. 94 pace, 87 shooting and 86 dribbling make the former Spurs and Southampton man an appetising prospect on Ultimate Team, and he is an expensive one on FIFA 17, with close to 100,000 coins on PS4 and over 75,000 on XB1.   

Paulo Dybala – OVR 86 > 88

Dybala-FIFA-18.jpg
click to enlarge
+ 13

A two-rating boost is the least Juventus man Paulo Dybala deserves, after striking in 19 goals in 48 games last season. The 23-year-old Argentine already has seven goals in just four matches, highlighting his class and growth. Dybala has formed a deadly strike pairing with countryman Gonzalo Higuain, with Dybala dropping in behind the big man, as reflected by his position change from striker to attacking midfielder.

The former Palermo man’s stats have shifted due to his new position, with his pace and shooting dropping to 86 and 85 respectively. His passing jumps up by four to 81, with dribbling creeping up from 90 to 91. After two Serie A titles in a row it is no surprise that Dybala receives an upgrade, and if he can become Juve’s star man this season, that rating may just get even higher. On FIFA 17, Dybala will currently cost 35,000 coins on PS4 and around 24,000 on XB1. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – OVR 90 > 88

Zlatan-FIFA-18.jpg
click to enlarge
+ 13

The only man in the 30-21 bracket to suffer a drop in rating is Manchester United forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Despite 28 goals in 46 games last season, it is perhaps the serious injury the Swede suffered towards the end of the campaign that is his downfall. Ibrahimovic picked up a serious ligament knee injury back in April, and he won’t return to action until 2018. United fans can look forward to his return however, as he will battle it out with £75 million signing Romelu Lukaku.

With so much speculation over his future this past summer, this season looks like to be the swansong of his top-level career. The 35-year-old has suffered a serious drop in pace on FIFA 18, sinking from 72 to 65, with his shooting slipping by two to 88. His dribbling also suffers, dropping by three to 82 and physicality down four to 82. The former Juventus, Inter, AC Milan, Barcelona and PSG man is still an expensive one on FIFA 17, costing over 85,000 coins or more on both consoles. 

N’Golo Kante – OVR 83 > 87

Kante-FIFA-18.jpg
click to enlarge
+ 13

The biggest climber thus far for FIFA 18 is Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, and it’s no surprise why. The diminutive Frenchman has climbed a massive four rankings (six since the release for FIFA 17 and 11 since FIFA 16), after becoming the first outfield player to win back-to-back Premier League titles with different clubs. That feat earned him the PFA Player of the Year award (and a 92-rated Ultimate Team card), and the fact he is higher ranked than former world record signing Paul Pogba will not only irritate the Manchester United man, but also their fans.

In terms of his Ultimate Team stats, Kante has not made a ginormous improvement as you would think, with his pace hopping up one to 81 and his dribbling up two to 80. His change in position for centre midfield to defensive mid is perhaps the reason behind this jump up, with the five six inch man the workhorse in Chelsea’s midfield. His 83-rated card on FIFA 17 will cost just under 5,000 coins on both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Mesut Ozil – OVR 89 > 88

Ozil-FIFA-18.jpg
click to enlarge
+ 13

Arsenal fans will be surprised that Mesut Ozil’s rating has only dropped by one for FIFA 18, with the German international facing a lot of scrutiny in the media over the past two seasons. Perhaps that work-rate isn’t reflected on a player’s FIFA overall has something to do with it, and in having a rating of 88, Ozil is still rated higher than Premier League rivals David Silva, Cesc Fabregas and Dele Alli.

It may well be Ozil’s final season at The Emirates, and the Gunners will need every ounce of that 88-rating if they are to finish back inside the four. The World Cup winner chalked up nine assists in the Premier League last season, along with eight goals. There has been little change to the attacking midfielder’s Ultimate Team stats with pace dropping by one to 71, and surprisingly his passing improving to 87, an increase of one. The master passer currently costs just over 17,000 coins on PS4 and 18,500 on XB1. 

Dries Mertens – OVR 85 > 86

Mertens-FIFA-18.jpg
click to enlarge
+ 13

When you think of the Belgian national side, you think of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne to name but a few. Dries Mertens is now as dangerous a threat in the side as they are due to his form for Napoli last season. The 30-year-old hit 34 goals in 45 games in Italy, and already has two in three so far this term. His centre forward positioning highlights his flexibility across the front three, and his ability to drop into the hole and drive at defenders or strike from deep.

The Napoli man earned himself a place in the Team of the Week four times last season, alongside a Team of the Group Stage (European Competition) and a Team of the Season card. His shooting has improved by four to 82, and his dribbling up one to 89, making him a dangerous and significantly cheaper option to the likes of Eden Hazard. A centre forward is not easy to fit into a team, so you may consider altering him to a striker or attacking midfielder to fit into your plans. On FIFA 17’s Ultimate Team, Mertens will cost just under 5,000 coins on both consoles.

James Rodriguez – OVR 87 > 86

James-Rodriguez-FIFA-18.jpg
click to enlarge
+ 13

A lot of heads were turned when Colombia star James Rodriguez left Real Madrid for Bayern Munich this summer, especially for a two-year loan. But if you look at the forms of Isco and Marcos Asensio at the back end of last season and at the start of the current campaign, it becomes clear. Rodriguez’s career has stalled slightly, and a move to the German champions is the perfect move for him.

It is only Rodriguez’s dribbling that has taken a hit, dropping from 85 to 83, so he can still be the perfect midfield creator in your Ultimate Team. With the likes of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Douglas Costa and Kingsley Coman making runs for him and Robert Lewandowski as a number nine, he should rack up the assists for Bayern and on FIFA 18. The star of the 2014 World Cup currently costs 35,500 coins on PS4 and 30,000 on XB1.

Casemiro – OVR 83 > 85

Casemiro-FIFA-18-1.jpg
click to enlarge
+ 13

Casemiro’s boost in rating showcases how important he has become at Real Madrid. Before Zinedine Zidane’s arrival at the helm of Los Blancos, the Brazilian Casemiro found himself permanently on the bench at the Bernabeu, and was even sent out on loan to Porto for the 2014-15 season. Zidane realised he needed more grit and protection in his side, to balance out the attacking talents of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale et al. He brought Casemiro into his side, and they look stronger than ever.

The defensive midfielder receives an increase of two on FIFA 18 Ultimate Team, and his 85-overall rating is also an increase of one on is current FIFA 17 overall. All six of his Ultimate Team stats have improved or stayed the same, with his defending now 84 and his physicality at 86. His 83-rated card on FIFA 17 currently costs 1,800 coins on PlayStation 4 and 2,300 coins on Xbox One.

Marco Reus – OVR 88 > 86

Reus-FIFA-18-1.jpg
click to enlarge
+ 13

An injury-hit campaign means it’s a drop in rating for FIFA 17 cover star Marco Reus. The Borussia Dortmund wide man was reduced to just 24 matches last season, but the German international still managed to hit home 13 goals as his side finished third in the Bundesliga. Sadly, Reus is becoming renowned for being injury-prone, after missing Germany’s World Cup win in 2014, missing a big chunk of last season, and picking up another serious injury in May.

Despite his injury problems, the 28-year-old still managed to pick up two in form cards in Ultimate Team last season, chalking up a highest rating of 90. His pace and dribbling have decreased this year, but an increase on his shooting and physicality should be enough temptation to stick with Reus for FIFA 18. Currently, he will cost you 31,000 coins on PS4 and 24,750 on XB1.

Dele Alli – OVR 82 > 84

Dele-FIFA-18.jpg
click to enlarge
+ 13

After bossing the Premier League for a second straight season last year, it is unsurprising that Tottenham attacking midfielder Dele Alli gets a boost on FIFA 18. His Ultimate Team card has gone up by two, and his new 84 rating is also an increase on his current FIFA 17 rating of 82. The 21-year-old netted 22 times in 50 appearances for Spurs last season, and with two goals in his first three games this season, the former MK Dons man shows no sign of letting up.

All six of his Ultimate Team stats have gone up, with the most significant being his shooting which has gone up by six to 80. Through in from and special cards, Dele worked his way up to a superb rating of 91 last season, and his fresh rating on FIFA 18 could see that eclipsed, with perhaps a 95-rated card in his sights. The England man’s 82-rated FIFA 17 card currently costs 1,700 coins on PS4 and 2,000 on XB1, but expect that cost to be at least doubled on FIFA 18.

Vincent Kompany – OVR 86 > 85

Vincent-Kompany-FIFA-18.jpg
click to enlarge
+ 13

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany may be higher rated that PL rival Dele, but his new 85 rating is a decrease on his FIFA 17 card. A year ago the Belgium international was rated at 86, but another injury-plagued rating has seen his rating nudged down. The 31-year-old was limited to just 15 games last season, the least he has played since his first season with Hamburg back in 2007.

Despite his injury troubles, Kompany has earned back his spot in Pep Guardiola’s line-up as they plot to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2014. Kompany’s defending has come down from 86 to 84, and his pace down from 69 to 63; however, his passing has improved by three to 65 and physicality up two to 83. The centre back currently costs just under 9,000 coins on PS4 and around 11,000 on XB1 on FIFA 17 Ultimate Team, but this looks set to drop this year.

FIFA 18 Rankings 11-100

Rank
Name
Position
Club
Country
FIFA 17 OVR
FIFA 18 OVR
1
Cristiano Ronaldo
LW
Real Madrid
Portugal
94
94
2
Lionel Messi
RW
Barcelona
Argentina
93
93
3
Neymar
LW
PSG
Brazil
92
92
4
Luis Suarez
ST
Barcelona
Uruguay
92
92
5
Manuel Neuer
GK
Bayern Munich
Germany
92
92
6
Robert Lewandowski
ST
Bayern Munich
Poland
90
91
7
Sergio Ramos
CB
Real Madrid
Spain
89
90
8
Eden Hazard
LW
Chelsea
Belgium
89
90
9
Toni Kroos
CM
Bayern Munich
Germany
88
90
10
Gonzalo Higuain
ST
Juventus
Argentina
89
90
Showing 1-10 of 100
Row count:Go to page:

 

Are these ratings fair? Who needs improvement? Let us know in the comments section below.

For more articles like this, take a look at our FIFA page.