<p>As the football world eagerly awaits the release of&nbsp;<em>EA FC 26</em>, anticipation around player ratings has once again placed the spotlight on two eternal rivals.&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a> and Cristiano Ronaldo</strong>, who dominated the video game franchise for nearly two decades, have seen their latest ratings leaked — and&nbsp;<strong>the online reaction has been anything but calm</strong>.</p>



<p><em>Why are fans so upset?</em>&nbsp;According to leaks from the beta testing phase of&nbsp;<em>EA FC 26</em>,&nbsp;<strong>Lionel Messi is rated 87</strong>, while&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> comes in at 85</strong>. Though these numbers are still unofficial and subject to change, the news spread rapidly across social media, igniting heated debates among their supporters.</p>



<p><em>“Absolutely robbed again. Messi is 87 rated and Ronaldo 85 – wow,”</em>&nbsp;one fan posted in disbelief. Others were quick to question the logic behind the numbers.&nbsp;<em>“One literally fights for the golden boot and wins the Nations League,”</em>&nbsp;another user wrote. </p>



<p>A third fan weighed in with:&nbsp;<em>“How is Messi 87, and Ronaldo being the top scorer of his league and winning the Nations League 85? Make it make sense.”</em> <strong>The backlash was swift</strong>, and it wasn’t just about the numbers — it was about legacy, current form, and perceived bias.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="EA SPORTS FC 26 | Official Reveal Trailer" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TSi0iJYSQ24?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<h2>Performance vs. age: Divisive standard</h2>



<p>Much of the frustration seems to revolve around the perceived prioritization of&nbsp;<strong>age over performance</strong>. Ronaldo, now 40, continues to produce impressive numbers with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League,&nbsp;<strong>scoring 35 goals last season</strong>&nbsp;and winning the Nations League with Portugal. <em>“They are lowering his rating just because of the years, not because of what he does on the pitch,”</em>&nbsp;fans lamented.</p>



<p>Messi, at 38, continues to make headlines with&nbsp;<strong>Inter Miami</strong>&nbsp;and the Argentina national team, maintaining a slightly higher rating despite playing in the MLS — a league many fans consider to be less competitive than Ronaldo’s current environment.</p>



<h2>Historical context: The decline from the summit</h2>



<p>The days when both icons sat atop the ratings chart with overall scores of&nbsp;<strong>94</strong>&nbsp;seem long gone. Both players reached their peak in multiple editions of the FIFA series — Messi with&nbsp;<strong>six versions rated 94</strong>, and Ronaldo with&nbsp;<strong>three</strong>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250731_WST_581839_Lionel-Messi-and-Cristiano-Ronaldo-1200x675_7854fe38.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo" class="wp-image-562213" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/03/27094111/Lionel-Messi-and-Cristiano-Ronaldo-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/03/27094111/Lionel-Messi-and-Cristiano-Ronaldo-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/03/27094111/Lionel-Messi-and-Cristiano-Ronaldo-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/03/27094111/Lionel-Messi-and-Cristiano-Ronaldo-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/03/27094111/Lionel-Messi-and-Cristiano-Ronaldo-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/03/27094111/Lionel-Messi-and-Cristiano-Ronaldo-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/03/27094111/Lionel-Messi-and-Cristiano-Ronaldo-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/03/27094111/Lionel-Messi-and-Cristiano-Ronaldo.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>Here’s how their most recent trajectories compare:</p>



<h4>Lionel Messi</h4>



<ul><li>EA FC 24: 90</li><li>EA FC 25: 88</li><li>EA FC 26 (leaked):&nbsp;<strong>87</strong></li></ul>



<h4>Cristiano Ronaldo</h4>



<ul><li>EA FC 24: 86</li><li>EA FC 25: 86</li><li>EA FC 26 (leaked):&nbsp;<strong>85</strong></li></ul>



<p>The gradual decline aligns with their ages and transitions to leagues outside of Europe’s top five, yet fans argue that&nbsp;<strong>on-field output should outweigh location or age</strong>.</p>



<h2>Social media divided over ‘favoritism’</h2>



<p>The GOAT debate isn’t new, but these leaked numbers have added fresh fuel. Ronaldo’s supporters feel disrespected by the drop, citing his consistency and goal tally. Messi’s fans, on the other hand, believe the ratings reflect his continued ability to control games, lead his club, and remain influential on the ball.</p>



<p><em>“Messi is still more influential in the game,”</em>&nbsp;one supporter commented. Others dismissed the two-point gap as minor, but the emotional investment in the rivalry remains intense.</p>

Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: EA FC 26 leaks stir the GOAT debate all over again – And fans are not happy with the ratings

Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: EA FC 26 leaks stir the GOAT debate all over again – And fans are not happy with the ratings - World Soccer Talk

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<p>The latest edition of EA Sports FC 25 is set for its worldwide release on September 27, and gaming fans are already buzzing with excitement. This year’s edition of the popular soccer game marks the second installment since EA Sports parted ways with FIFA. Despite the rebranding, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/why-inter-and-ac-milan-arent-featured-in-eafc-25/">EA Sports FC 25</a> promises to deliver the same excitement and depth that fans have come to expect. New features, game modes, and a revamped interface have been teased through a series of deep dives. For many gamers, it’s the player ratings that steal the spotlight.</p>



<p>As always, the release of player ratings is one of the most eagerly anticipated events each year. It offers a glimpse into which players will dominate in the virtual world. This year, a new era is dawning, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo no longer commanding the highest ratings.</p>



<p>Leading the rankings for EA Sports FC 25 are <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/al-khelaifis-life-after-mbappe-new-era-and-better-psg-than-ever/">Kylian Mbappe</a>, Erling Haaland, and Rodri. Each boasts <a href="https://x.com/EASPORTSFC/status/1833158620768252051" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">an impressive rating of 91</a>. Mbappe and Haaland are the future of soccer. Both players consistently deliver jaw-dropping performances for their clubs. Rodri, meanwhile, had a standout Euro 2024 campaign. He helped Spain secure a major victory and solidified his place among the world’s best.</p>



<p>The midfielder’s jump to the top comes as a surprise to many. He had an 89 rating last year. His contributions to Manchester City and Spain have earned him a significant upgrade. They pushed him into the 91-rated bracket alongside Mbappe and Haaland.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240911_WST_528354_Rodri-Haaland-1200x675_e8826b2c.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-528390" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Rodri-Haaland-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Rodri-Haaland-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Rodri-Haaland-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Rodri-Haaland-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Rodri-Haaland.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<h2>What are Ronaldo and Messi’s ratings in EA FC 25?</h2>



<p>For years, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/lionel-messi-ventures-into-esports-as-co-owner-with-kun-aguero-20231108-WST-468193.html">Lionel Messi</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/fifa-in-talks-with-2k-to-help-create-new-soccer-video-game-20240213-WST-489326.html">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> have been the faces of the EA Sports franchise. They dominated the ratings with unmatched skill and longevity. However, the 2024 edition marks the end of an era. Lionel Messi, once rated as high as 94, has dropped to an 88 rating, marking his lowest score since 2008. He now sits at the 16th spot in the rankings, behind seven Premier League players.</p>



<p>Despite his legendary status, Messi’s move to Inter Miami and his lower involvement in top-tier European competitions likely contributed to the downgrade. He now shares the same rating as players like Manchester City’s Phil Foden, Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, and Robert Lewandowski, the veteran striker of Barcelona.</p>



<p>Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, finds himself even further down the list, not even cracking the top 25 players in the game. Ronaldo has picked up a rating of <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13830565/Lionel-Messi-LOWEST-rating-16-years-EA-Sports-FC-25.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">86</a>. It’s a significant drop that reflects his Saudi Arabia move and his reduced role in major European competitions. For years, the two GOATs have competed for the top spot. The game is increasingly reflecting the shifting dynamics of global soccer, however.</p>



<h2>Rising stars and major upgrades</h2>



<p>While Messi and Ronaldo face downgrades, several players have seen their ratings soar. One of the biggest risers is England’s Jude Bellingham. He earned a 90 rating after a stellar debut season at Real Madrid. His performances have impressed fans and critics alike, earning him a place among the best in the game.</p>



<p>Not only does Bellingham have a 90 rating, but so do Vinicius, Kevin De Bruyne, and Harry Kane, among others. This year’s ratings also showcase the Premier League’s strength, with stars like Kane, De Bruyne, and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah all securing top spots.</p>



<p>The goalkeeping department is also strong. Alisson, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Thibaut Courtois and Marc-Andre ter Stegen all received ratings of 90 or above. These players have consistently proven their value between the posts and will be key figures in EA Sports FC 25’s Ultimate Team mode.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>

New EA FC 25 ratings revealed: Where are Messi and Ronaldo?

The latest edition of EA Sports FC 25 is set for its worldwide release on September 27, and gaming fans are already buzzing for the ratings.

Latest news from EA FC 25. Find out about all the news related to EA FC 25 on worldsoccertalk.com

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Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: EA FC 26 leaks stir the GOAT debate all over again – And fans are not happy with the ratings

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New EA FC 25 ratings revealed: Where are Messi and Ronaldo?