FIFA 19: Early prediction for top 10 highest-rated players

I
Image credits: Daniel B@danbdesign (Twitter)

It's that time of the year again. Football all around the world is commencing its final push into the sunset as champions start to reveal themselves. Top players from the ongoing season distinguish themselves from the rest.

Usually, this time around football fans start their descent into darkness as they come to terms with the fact that their beloved sport is about to abandon them, albeit for a couple of months. However, this time around that is not the case as the biggest sporting events come our way- the FIFA World Cup.

Another thing which will help us through these tough times is the namesake of the actual tournament, albeit in the form of a video game. FIFA is one of the most widely popular games in the world and its latest version, FIFA 18, was again a super hit.

However, with less than six months to go in FIFA 19, we can get the hype wagon off a bit early. We start by attempting to predict the top 10 highest rated players in FIFA 19, along with their overalls.

#10 Toni Kroos (90)

Real Madrid v Fiorentina
Real Madrid v Fiorentina

Toni Kroos has been one of Real Madrid's best buys in recent years. The German midfielder has formed an impressive partnership with Luka Modric and Casemiro in the midfield and was instrumental in winning three Champions Leagues with the Los Blancos.

Kroos managed to have yet another great season with Real Madrid despite a slow start. He has already contributed largely to Madrid's season by scoring four goals and adding seven assists across all competitions. The 28-year-old has also managed to maintain a 93.3% passing accuracy.

Kroos was a part of the Top 10 in FIFA 18 and we expect him to maintain his position. A 90 overall rating would do nicely for Kroos but with the World Cup still to come, a boost might be possible.

#9 Harry Kane (90)

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League

I'd like to start this slide with a confession. I was indeed one of those people who believed Harry Kane would turn out to be a one-season wonder. The way I have been proven wrong over the past four years has taught me not to judge a player too soon.

'Hurricane' Harry has continuously grown since his breakthrough to the first team engulfing clubs left, right, and centre. Kane has been a pivotal part of a Spurs squad which has been challenging the status quo for some years now.

The Englishman has managed to add another 37 goals so far to his total tally in the current season, with still some matches to go. With the World Cup still to come, you can expect Kane to break into the Top 10 for the first time. There is also high chances of a boost in rating in comparison to last year. I am going for a 90 overall for Kane.

#8 Mohamed Salah (90)

Manchester City v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg
Manchester City v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg

Let's take a moment to go through a list of accolades received by the Egyptian over the course of the season. Salah has already scored 41 goals so far for Liverpool across all competitions while providing 11 assists. 31 of his goals are in the Premier League, which is the joint highest tally in a single season.

He has been named the following - 3 times Premier League Player of the Month, 3 times UEFA Champions League Player of the Month, African Player of the Year, PFA team of the year, PFA Player of the Year. He also received 7.27% votes in the Egyptian Presidential Elections despite not being in the race for the post.

There is not a player in the world right now who is more deserving than Mo Salah to break into the top 10. A rating of 90 is what I am predicting for the Egyptian.

Undeniably he should be ranked higher but EA is not known to make drastic changes in a player's overall from a year before. An overall of 90 would mean Salah will be rated 7 above his last edition's total of 83.

#7 David De Gea (91)

Manchester United v Everton - Premier League
Manchester United v Everton - Premier League

In the last few years, fans would be going through the rankings fully expecting to find a certain German goalkeeper amongst these spots. However, Manuel Neuer season-ending injury is bound to drop him out of the top 10.

Taking his place as the only Goalkeeper in the top 10 is David De Gea.

De Gea had a slow start to life in Manchester but has since developed into probably the best goalkeeper in the world. The Spaniard is known for his lightning-fast reflexes and maverick saves which have, over the years, sent home many sides empty-handed.

De Gea has been instrumental yet again for Jose Mourinho's Manchester United, keeping 17 clean sheets in the Premier League so far. I expect De Gea to maintain his top 10 spot from the previous year while getting an increase in rating. A 91 overall is what I am going with for De Gea.

#6 Neymar (91)

Paris Saint-Germain v RSC Anderlecht - UEFA Champions League
Paris Saint-Germain v RSC Anderlecht - UEFA Champions League

I'd like to start my defence by sharing what FIFA's Head of Data Collection & Licensing Michael Mueller-Moehring revealed some time ago. He said that the league a player is playing in makes a difference in determining a player's overall rating. Using Mueller-Moehring's example, if Messi were to play in the Irish League, he would certainly not be rated as high as he is now.

Simply put, Neymar is a top-class player. The league he plays in is far from it though. French Ligue 1 is widely recognized as the weakest of the top 5 leagues and I believe this is bound to affect Neymar's ratings.

Although he has delivered in the Champions League and for his International side as well, I believe his switch to PSG will be enough to drop his ratings a further 2 points, from 93 to 91.

However, Neymar still has an ace in the pack in the form of the World Cup. The Brazilian has always delivered on an international level and his performance in Russia could mean a better overall rating.

#5 Luis Suarez (91)

Barcelona v Valencia - Copa Del Rey
Barcelona v Valencia - Copa Del Rey

Suarez has been a brilliant all-around striker for a while now. From his early Ajax days to his stop-over in Merseyside and finally to his eventual destination in Barcelona; Suarez has done one thing consistently, score.

However, the striker didn't have the same bite in his attack this season (pun intended).

Suarez had to endure tough times this season but still managed to score 29 goals across all competitions. It is through no fault of his own that his goalscoring exploits in La Liga are overshadowed by two of the best players to ever grace the game.

Suarez was rated 92 last time around, occupying a top 3 spot. However, I believe his ratings are bound to take a hit and so is his ranking. 91 overall and 5th position is what I'm going with for the Uruguayan.

#4 Kevin De Bruyne (92)

Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League
Manchester United v Manchester City - Premier League

Really, him over Salah? I mean this guy just lost the PFA Player of the Year to him. I don't believe it. Hold on for a second! It is important to realize the fact that FIFA takes into account the previous year's rating as well. It's fair to say that De Bruyne has improved since the last season and I believe, his rating will as well.

The Belgian midfield maestro was superb this season. He contributed to a star-packed City attack by scoring 12 goals while providing 19 assists across all competitions. De Bruyne also maintained a passing accuracy of 83.5 percent.

De Bruyne was rated 89 last time around and I believe his rating will receive a +3 boost. A 92 overall would ensure that the Belgian is the highest rated Premier League star in the next edition of FIFA unless the next three players end up moving to England.

#3 Robert Lewandowski (92)

ICC Singapore - Bayern v FC Internazionale
ICC Singapore - Bayern v FC Internazionale

In a parallel universe, Robert Lewandowski has just come off the bench to score a beauty for Blackburn Rovers to ensure a top 4 spot and Champions League for the next season. Ewood Park is jumping with joy as the fans chant Venkys' name. Oh, what could've been.

Nevertheless, Lewandowski is currently scoring goals for fun in Bavaria, Blackburn is fighting to get out of League One, and the fans slander Venkys' for taking over their beautiful club.

Talking about the player, Lewandowski has been by far the best striker in the world this season. He has managed to score 39 goals in his 43 appearances for Bayern Munich. He currently stands on 28 goals in the Bundesliga, 14 more than his nearest competition.

It's fair to say he will get a rise. I'm going for a 92 overall here with a +1 increase from FIFA 18.

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo (93)

Real Madrid v Juventus - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg
Real Madrid v Juventus - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg

So about a couple of months ago, Ronaldo was finished, gone past his glory days, not the same player, even worse than Paulinho. That didn't last very long though, did it?

The phenom that is Cristiano Ronaldo just keeps on doing the unthinkable season after season. His contribution to the game week-in, week-out is of such importance that people tend to forget he's 33. Players start retiring at 33.

Ronaldo managed another record-breaking season in 2017/18. He has scored 15 goals in 10 Champions League appearances so far and has helped Real Madrid reach the Semi-final. If he continues his hot streak a 4th final in 5 years will be very likely. Ronaldo has also added 24 goals in La Liga.

Cristiano Ronaldo's ratings will take a hit come September. In my opinion, Ronaldo will be occupying the second spot when the rankings are revealed. His downfall will not be due to his form but the pure genius of our next superstar, who just happens to be his arch-nemesis.

#1 Lionel Messi (94)

Barcelona v Sevilla - Spanish Copa del Rey Final
Barcelona v Sevilla - Spanish Copa del Rey Final

Ugh, him again, sigh the Madrid fans. The man who has long tormented the grounds of Santiago Bernabeu will once again reign supreme once the rankings are revealed. That is, what I believe will happen.

I can go on and on and on about how good the Argentine is but that is a matter for another day. What I will tell you is the sole reason why Lionel Messi will be at the top of the charts is that he finally scored against Chelsea! (Just kidding, of course).

What Messi has actually done this season is score 39 goals and set up 14 more as his side looks to go unbeaten in the La Liga. Although Cristiano Ronaldo has proven to be as compelling a challenger as ever, the fact remains that Messi has been better this season.

I am predicting a No.1 ranking for Lionel Messi with a 94 overall. This can vary though, as there is one more humongous step in the way before the next season- the FIFA World Cup.