Released on October 20, Football Manager 2023 is now available on Xbox and Mac/PC. So, players can start picking the teams of their dreams.
While most players will choose to begin their selection from the lowest rung of the managerial ladder, others try to take control of the best teams.
Hence, here is a rundown of the best players on FM23.
11. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi’s rating on Football Manager 2023 is 90. However, his ratings may increase during the season. Last season’s average performance may have affected the PSG star’s rating. During the 2021/22 season, no one would have been wrong to overlook the Argentinian when naming the best players in the world. Even France Football snubbed him from the Ballon d’Or shortlist entirely.
With players like Mohammed Salah and Erling Haaland out of the World Cup, Messi is a favourite for the golden boot. You can bet on him in the top goalscorer betting market. This betting market is very popular amongst punters. However, not all bookmakers offer the top goalscorer betting option for the FIFA World Cup. So, you have to read reviews on comparison sites to know the bookmakers who do. Comparison sites also provide the latest golden boot odds for each player and compare the players’ recent form.
10. Luka Modric
You may find it difficult to believe that Luka Modric is less than a year younger than Andres Iniesta, who left Spain for Japan in 2018. Modric is thirty-seven years old but still playing at the highest level.
He was also crucial to Real Madrid’s title challenge last season. Modric helped the Spanish club to a double last season, winning the UEFA Champions League and La Liga. So far this season, he is showing no sign of slowing down. He’s definitely worth 90 ratings on FM23.
9. Virgil Van Dijk
Virgil Van Dijk is the highest-rated CB in the world. VVD has been exceptional since his record transfer from Southampton to Liverpool. He helped transform the backline of the Merseyside club, winning every major trophy at Anfield. He is four points clear of the next-best centre-back, Ruben Dias.
8. Thibaut Courtois
Due to his heroics in the Champions League final and Spanish League last season, Courtois is rated as the best goalkeeper at 91. The Belgian International was vital to the title charge of Real Madrid during the 2021/22 season.
7. Harry Kane
The England International is the only player rated 92. While this is not surprising due to his goal and assist tally in the English Premier League this calendar year, his exclusion from FM23’s best Premier League eleven is.
6. Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski, won the Bundesliga title in each of his eight previous seasons at Bayern Munich, scoring 344 goals in 375 games in the process, is rated 93. His goals have fired Barcelona to near the top of the Spanish La Liga table this season.
5. Karim Benzema
Lifting his first Ballon d’Or this year, it’s only proper to name Karim Benzema among the best five players in the world. His sensational individual performance for Real Madrid last season puts him at 93.
4. Mohammed Salah
Though the Egyptian International slowed down a bit after AFCON in January, he was instrumental in Liverpool’s chase of the quadruple last season. Mo Salah’s third golden boot in five years shows his incredible form. He’s rated 93.
3. Erling Haaland
In just three months of arriving at the blue side of Manchester, Erling Haaland has scored 18 goals in just 12 league appearances. The Norwegian is set to break several individual records in the EPL this season. Though he is rated 93 presently, Haaland has the potential of moving to 98.
2. Kylian Mbappe
With 14 assists and 30 goals in 31 French League appearances in the 2021/22 season, Mbappe’s rating of 94 is fair. Last season, his goal contribution was the highest in Europe’s top five leagues.
1. KDB
Short for Kevin De Bruyne, KDB stands out in Manchester City’s attack lineup. If you think his rating of 95 isn’t worth it, then we implore you to watch Manchester City more often.
