FC 24: Ronaldo OUT, Messi IN as EA reveal Top 20 highest-rated players in new game

As fans continue to prepare for the official release of EA SPORTS FC 24, football continues to say goodbye to one of the most legendary rivalries in the modern era.

The Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era is finally concluding in what has been a remarkable decade of unbridled greatness.

EA certainly took this personally following their official ratings reveal of the best players in the upcoming game FC 24.

Whether we like it or not, football fans and fans of the iconic video game franchise have to get used to the fact the duo’s incredible adventure at the peak of European football is officially over.

Earlier in January, Ronaldo completed a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia to become the highest-paid athlete in the world.

Lionel Messi said his goodbye to Europe as well, completing a switch to the United States with MLS franchise club Inter Miami.

There have been debates amongst fans of the gaming community on what Messi and Ronaldo’s rating will be in the new EA SPORTS FC 24 game, amid constant leaks from multiple gaming insiders.

However, that speculation seems to have finally ended after EA released its first official ratings for FC 24.

EA released a list of the highest-rated players in their new game and while Lionel Messi managed to make the cut, his Portuguese counterpart was nowhere to be found - in what is a major hint of a possible downgrade from his previous ratings in the now-defunct EA SPORTS FIFA 23 series. 

Ronaldo, 38,  was awarded an overall rating of 90 in FIFA 23, while Messi,36, was awarded a 91.

Both players received a downgrade of -1 and -2 respectively.

However, despite Lionel Messi getting a downgrade of -1 in FC 24, the Argentine World Cup winner still manages to make the Top 10 list of highest-rated players in the game, while Ronaldo completely misses out of the Top 20 - although, the Al-Nassr star’s rating is yet to be officially revealed.

Check out the full list of Top 20 highest-rated players in FC 24 as Manchester City stars dominate the list of a historic treble-winning campaign last season.

As per the official EA SPORTS FC 24 site the list also includes a number of top talents dominating women’s football as we know it today.

1. Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) - 91 OVR (0)

2. Alexia Putellas (Barca Femeni) - 91 OVR

3. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - 91 OVR (+3)

4. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 91 OVR (0)

5. Aitana Bonmati (Barca Femeni) - 90 0VR

6. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) - 90 OVR (-1)

7. Sam Kerr (Chelsea W) - 90 OVR

8. Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad) - 90 OVR (-1)

9. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) - 90 OVR (0)

10. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) - 90 OVR (+1)

11. Caroline Graham Hansen (Barca Femeni) - 90

12. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona) - 90 OVR (-1)

13. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 89 OVR (-1)

14. Kadidiatou Diani (Lyon W) - 89 OVR

15. Mapi Leon (Barca Femeni) - 89 OVR

16. Ruben Dias (Manchester City) - 89 OVR (+1)

17. Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid) - 89 OVR (+3)

18. Rodri (Manchester City) - 89 OVR (+2) 

19. Neymar Jr (Paris Saint-Germain) - 89 OVR (0)

20. Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC) - 89 OVR

EA Sports FC 24 will be available on the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X / S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch on September 29.

However, HyperMotionV technology is only available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC versions. 

Meanwhile, EA Play members will receive early access to the game with a 10-hour trial beginning on September 22.

 EA Play Pro members will also enjoy unlimited access to the EA Play Pro Edition of the game – including Ultimate edition content – starting September 22.