Long range goals are special. Whether it is a last-minute winner in the Champions League semi-final (Iniesta vs Chelsea) or a belter in a Sunday League game, long range shots have their own special significance for footballers.
In the FIFA 17 hemisphere, the Frostbite engine has dramatically improved game physics resulting in accurate and effective long range shooting, especially with finesse shots. This makes scoring a Robben or Anthony Martial-esque curler remarkably easy in the game.
Also read: 5 famous footballers and their worst FIFA ratings
Some players have a penchant for the specatular and regularly produce some top notch stuff. In this article, we list those players on FIFA 17 who have the best long shots in the game, so whenever you play the game next, just make sure one of these players are in your lineup and let loose. (Spoiler: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Arjen Robben do not make the cut but one midfielder from Saudi Arabia does).
#1 James Rodriguez
The Colombian attacking midfielder was snapped up by Real Madrid after his 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winning campaign which catapulted him to international recognition. Impressed with his six strikes in the tournament, Real paid €80 million to Monaco for his services, making him the most expensive Colombian footballer ever.
James captains his national team and is known for his vision and shooting prowess which was evident in THAT strike against Uruguay in the 1st round of the 2014 World Cup. The Colombian has continued his penchant for the spectacular with Real, producing a highlight reel of long-range missiles, delicately placed curlers and thumping volleys with his wand of a left foot.
EA have certainly taken note of the Colombian's strengths and given him a long shot rating of 91, making him deadly from anywhere outside the box and especially free-kicks from a 30-yard range.
#2 Victor Ayala
A surprising inclusion on the list, Victor Ayala is a central midfielder who plies his trade for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in the Saudi Professional League. The Paraguay international moved to the Gulf after spending 11 years of his professional career playing for various clubs in Colombia and other South American countries where he built a reputation for having a fearsome shot.
Ayala shot himself to fame in the 2016 Copa America against Colombia with a spectacular long-range shot which whistled into the side netting from over 30 yards out, giving no chance to the goalkeeper whatsoever. For more evidence of Ayala’s long-range prowess, have a look at this video featuring some of his best shots till date.
Playing in a lower league does have its setbacks, as a result, EA have given him an overall rating of only 73 but his long shots are among the best in the world, rated at 90.
#3 Gareth Bale
Another Real Madrid superstar on the list, the Welshman was bought by the Los Blancos for a then world record fee of $100 million. The former Tottenham Hotspur left-back turned winger now dominates the right flank for the Spanish capital club and is a constant source of goals and assists from the flanks.
Bale shot to fame in the 2010 Champions League with his complete destruction of the apparently world-class Brazilian full-back Maicon. Bale scored a hat-trick that night and effectively ended Maicon’s career. He has grown in stature since then and has become the complete package with world class dribbling, passing, crossing and shooting skills along with the awareness to use them at the right time.
The Real Madrid man has become especially dangerous from long-range over the years and has come up with some blinders for the Blancos in his time with them. EA, making sure that Bale’s shooting abilities are not underrated, gave him a high but suitable long shot attribute of 90.
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese scored 55 goals for club and country last season, winning the Champions League and the European Cup for Real Madrid and Portugal respectively. This extended his record for scoring more than 40 goals in every season he has played for the Los Blancos.
Such a prolific scorer of goals has to be a supremely talented and intelligent footballer. Ronaldo is skilled in long-range shooting and made a habit of scoring some belters during his time with Manchester United, including a 45-yard scorcher against Porto in their triumphant Champions League season.
Ronaldo has continued his long range spree at Madrid even though his free kick production may have dipped a little from the high standards he set early in his career. Assessing Ronaldo’s consistent end product from long shots, EA decided to give him a rating of 90 which seems slightly on the higher side given that Bale has a slightly better conversion rate.
#5 Manolo Gabbiadini
The Italian striker moved to Southampton from Napoli in the January transfer market and instantly endeared himself to the Saints faithful by scoring six goals in his first four appearances. His performances also saw him being crowned the Premier League’s Player of the Month in February before injuring his groin and being ruled out till April.
The Italian is an out and out goalscorer possessing a bullet of a long shot that hasn't yet made an appearance for the Saints. His long shot prowess was evident before his move to the St. Mary’s which is why EA gave him a high long shot rating of 89.
