<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>Electronic Arts (EA) has announced that they will include <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/euro-2024/">UEFA Euro 2024</a> as a free in-game update to EAFC 24. The game’s release will coincide with the real tournament set to the played in Germany this summer. Euro 2024 will kick off on June 14th and run for a full month. EA is including the update just before the tournament’s start.</p>



<p>The move to release the free in-game tournament to EAFC 24 further strengthens the video game company’s partnership with UEFA. The two sides previously began an official partnership in the fall of 2018. EA Sports added the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">UEFA Champions League</a> to their FIFA 19 game.</p>



<p>“We’re delighted to announce that one of next summer’s biggest football tournaments will be fully integrated across EA SPORTS FC titles,” <a href="https://news.ea.com/press-releases/press-releases-details/2023/UEFA-EURO-2024-Comes-to-EA-SPORTS-FC-24-EA-SPORTS-FC-Mobile-and-EA-SPORTS-FC-Online-in-Summer-2024/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a> David Jackson, EA Sports FC’s Vice President of Brand. </p>



<p>“Alongside our fantastic partners at UEFA, this exclusive Euros content will enable EA SPORTS to continue delivering the most authentic and innovative football experiences for our fans.”</p>



<h2>EAFC update to include other Euro 2024 features</h2>



<p>Along with including Euro 2024 in their game, EA will also allow gamers to simulate the tournament from their console. The company is also ready to gift gamers who play the game before Jan. 16 an exclusive player card. These Euro 2024-themed players will be from one of the national teams competing in the actual summer tournament.</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_20231128_WST_473329_Lahm-Euro-2024-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-473371" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Lahm-Euro-2024-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Lahm-Euro-2024-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Lahm-Euro-2024-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Lahm-Euro-2024.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Germany is hosting Euro 2024, which means all of the stadiums for the tournament are already in EAFC 24.</figcaption></figure>



<p>The player card can then be used in EAFC 24’s Ultimate Team game mode. The list of potential player cards includes Ousmane Dembele (France), Jack Grealish (England), Virgil Van Dijk (Netherlands), Federico Chiesa (Italy), Florian Wirtz (Germany), and Álvaro Morata (Spain).</p>



<p>EAFC 2024 is also home to the new eEURO Esports competition. The tournament, which will climax with a live final, plays out in the summer of 2024.</p>



<p>“We are delighted to further expand our partnership with EA SPORTS, with UEFA EURO 2024 becoming a part of the EA SPORTS FC™ game,” <a href="https://news.ea.com/press-releases/press-releases-details/2023/UEFA-EURO-2024-Comes-to-EA-SPORTS-FC-24-EA-SPORTS-FC-Mobile-and-EA-SPORTS-FC-Online-in-Summer-2024/default.aspx">continued</a> UEFA marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein.</p>



<p>“UEFA EURO 2024 is one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting football tournaments, and we’re thrilled that the huge EA SPORTS FC 24 community across the globe will get the chance to engage with the tournament in such an authentic gaming environment. We also look forward, in coming weeks, to unveiling further details around the eEURO competitive gaming tournament.”</p>



<h2>Video game does not have rights to FIFA World Cup</h2>



<p>EA’s continued partnership comes as the company released its latest game without an agreement with FIFA. The two sides previously combined to make the most iconic and recognizable soccer video games ever. However, they eventually split in 2022. As a result, EA now does not have rights to the FIFA World Cup.</p>



<p>FIFA president Gianni Infantino has hinted that the governing body will eventually make their own video game. “The new FIFA game – FIFA 25, 26, 27 and so on – will always be the best egame for any girl or boy,” Infantino <a href="https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/gianni-infantino-says-fifa-25-will-be-the-best-e-game-despite-ea-rivalry-3414723" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">claimed</a> back in March. The executive also added that the organization will “have news on this very soon.” Nevertheless, little information has since surfaced regarding the potential game.</p>



<p>EAFC 24 is available now for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.</p>



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


EAFC 24 gamers to get Euro 2024 update for free

Electronic Arts has announced that they will include a Euro 2024 update for EAFC 24 gamers ahead of the tournament next summer.

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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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EAFC 24 gamers to get Euro 2024 update for free