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Fans of EA Sports' popular FIFA franchise were met with nothing but disappointment following the release of FIFA 19.
Gameplay bugs, issues with player ratings and other major problems plagued the game, with many gamers even labelling it one of the worst FIFA editions of all time.
However, FIFA 20 promises to be a whole lot different. The game is expected to hit stores in late September, and we can hardly wait.
As is the case with every new installment of FIFA, fans of the game are eager to give their verdict on who the top players in the game should be.
Cristiano Ronaldo has dominated the virtual world of football, having cemented himself as the best player in the game for years. However, will EA have a surprise for us fans this year? Will someone be able to usurp the Portuguese to the top spot or will he continue his reign of dominance for another year?
On that note, here's an attempt to predict the top 5 players in FIFA 20 along with their overall ratings:
#5 Kylian Mbappe - 91
Few players in the past couple of decades have endured as stunning rise as Kylian Mbappe has.
From becoming the most expensive teenager of all time, to starring for France at the World Cup and then winning the Kopa Trophy for Best Young Player, Mbappe has truly announced his arrival.
He was rated at 87 to start with in FIFA 19. However, he received an upgrade in the Winter Ratings Refresh and is now rated at 88.
We expect EA to give him a boost of at least 3 rating points which would see him crack the top 5.
#4 Eden Hazard - 91
Despite Chelsea's recent struggles, Eden Hazard's stock has continued to rise and he remains one of the world's best players.
Hazard is likely to exit Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, with a potential move to Real Madrid looming on the horizon.
If he does indeed make the switch, playing alongside the likes of Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and co. will only aid him in his quest to become the best player in the world.
Hazard missed out on the top five in FIFA 19, despite being hit with a 91 rating. He was pipped to the final spot in the top five by Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne, but the Belgian is expected to turn the tables on De Bruyne this time around and crack the top 5.
Hazard's shooting stats, rated at 82 in FIFA 19, could be given a boost as well.
#3 Neymar - 92
At #3 is none other than Brazil's golden boy, Neymar. The PSG superstar may have had a disappointing campaign with the Ligue 1 champions by his standards, but he remains an elite talent.
The people in charge of handling player ratings did reveal in the past that a league a player plies his trade in affects his overall ratings, and that's one of the major reasons Neymar has not been as highly rated as he could have been in past FIFA editions.
In FIFA 20, expect him to maintain his 92 rating, which earns him a spot in the top 3.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo - 93
After remaining at the top of the pile for three editions of FIFA, Cristiano Ronaldo is finally expected to lose his top spot.
Ronaldo has been rated 94 in FIFA 17, 18 and 19, but that rating could dip after what has been an average season by his standards.
EA are likely to hand him a rating of 93, which is good enough for second spot.
#1 Lionel Messi - 94
As expected, Lionel Messi takes the top spot. Messi shared the top spot with Ronaldo in FIFA 19, with both superstars rated at 94.
However, after a stellar season in which he is comfortably leading the race for the European Golden Shoe and also helping Barcelona in their quest for a treble, EA are likely to place him on a pedestal of his own.
While his pace rating of 88 might come down a notch, expect his shooting stats - currently rated at 91 - to rise.
Messi is also among the leading assist-providers in Europe's top leagues, which could prompt EA to raise his passing rating from 88 to 90 at the very least.
