Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the virtual face of football for two decades. But as EA Sports FC 26 nears release, leaked ratings have signaled a passing of the torch. According to early beta builds, Messi is rated 87, Ronaldo 85, their lowest marks in over 15 years. For fans who grew up with the pair dominating the 90+ tier, it feels like the end of an era.
It didn’t take long for the internet to explode. “Absolutely robbed again. Messi is 87 rated and Ronaldo 85 – wow,” one user posted. Others demanded explanations: how could Ronaldo, top scorer in the Saudi league and a Nations League winner, fall to 85? Why was Messi, playing in MLS, still ahead? Some accused EA of favoring Messi. Others called the entire system ageist.
Why EA dropped their ratings
To understand the outrage, it helps to understand how EA rates players. The system combines Opta-powered performance data, scouting feedback from a 9,000+ member network, and subjective adjustments. League difficulty matters. So does current form. Messi and Ronaldo are penalized, fairly or not, for playing outside Europe’s top five leagues. Ronaldo is 40 now, Messi is 38. EA doesn’t directly factor age into ratings, but physical decline, especially in pace and stamina, nudges the numbers down.
There’s also the weight of legacy. Messi peaked at 94 six times in FIFA, Ronaldo three. They traded top spot for a decade. In EA FC 24, Messi still managed a 90, while Ronaldo dipped to 86. The FC 26 leaks continue that slow slide. But the bigger shock is who’s now ahead of them. Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, Rodri, and Vinícius Jr. are all reportedly rated higher. Mbappé remains top at 91. In the leaked list, Messi and Ronaldo don’t crack the top 20.
The fan reaction has been predictably tribal. Portuguese supporters argue Ronaldo’s production merits at least an 88. Argentine fans defend Messi’s creative control and 2023 Ballon d’Or. Many simply mourn the inevitable: that their heroes are no longer kings of the digital pitch despite their impressive longevity.
What we’re witnessing isn’t just a ratings drop. It’s symbolic. Messi and Ronaldo are still great. But the game has moved on, and so has the game that captures it.
