FIFA 17 will be available worldwide by late September. With a host of changes being introduced this time around (Including the splendid Frostbite engine), EA Sports is set to revolutionize the gaming industry with their latest masterpiece. The game has already received a lot of positive feedback after announcing Marco Reus as their new cover star.
Coming back to the main point, Real Madrid is one of the most popular clubs while playing FIFA. Be it Career Mode, H2H or Online Seasons, the Los Blancos are the favourites to play with. Packed with a squad of talented (and high-rated) individuals, Real Madrid had four players in FIFA’s annual Team of the Season squad. After a topsy-turvy season, there were a few standout performers as well as a handful of failures. With the new game fast approaching, let us take a look at the potential ratings for their FIFA 17 cards:
#1 Goalkeepers and Defenders
Madrid has continued their legacy of fielding extraordinary goalkeeping talent. Costa Rican Keylor Navas was one of Real’s best players last season. Their defence is one of the strongest in Europe. The combination of Sergio Ramos and Pepe has worked like a charm supported well by the agile Carvajal and the tireless Marcelo. The makeshift defenders have done a wonderful job in keeping it tight at the back in the absence of the key players.
Keylor Navas: 82 → 84
Madrid’s saviour at the start of the season and one of the side’s key player’s as the season wore on, the Costa Rica shot-stopper had a phenomenal 2015-16 season. Conceding only 35 times in 46 games, Navas was a brick in front of goal. He started FIFA 16 with a 79 rated card, later updated to 82. He ended the season with a 90 rated TOTS card. He will be one of the highest rated keepers in FIFA 17.
Kiko Casilla: 81 → 81
The Spaniard did not have much to do the last term. He was kept out by the magnificent Keylor Navas. He played a few games here and there but did not do anything noteworthy of an upgrade or a downgrade.
Sergio Ramos: 87 → 87
One of the game's best players, Sergio Ramos had a decent season. After a disappointing Euro 2016 campaign, he bounced back with a splendid performance in the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla. After a player turns 30, FIFA tends to downgrade players. However, they won't be messing with the defender's ratings as he is a fan favourite. Ramos will be an 87 rated defender in FIFA 17.
Pepe: 84 → 84
The Portuguese improved as a defender last season. Pepe’s tackling was better and surprisingly, he was disciplined. However, he was not clinical in front of goal and missed plenty of chances. He may have a stat change where his defending stat increases and shooting stat decreases. He will remain as an 84 rated defender in the next edition.
Raphael Varane: 82 → 82
The French defender had a season filled with injuries. He did perform well in the few games he played, but it will not be enough to earn him an upgrade. Varane will not be downgraded as he put in a couple of good shifts in the league.
Dani Carvajal: 82 → 84
The youngster had a brilliant season and was instrumental in the Champion’s League and scored the winner in the Super Cup against Sevilla. Carvajal has improved leaps and bounds since 2014 and has become one of Madrid’s key players. He will definitely get upgraded.
Marcelo: 83 → 84
The Brazilian is one of Real Madrid’s consistent performers. Be it clean sheets, goals or assists, he will find a way to go past any good defense. He was a part of FIFA’s annual Team of the Season squad. Marcelo is a definite candidate for getting upgraded.
Nacho: 75 → 75
The youngster had a decent season and scored on his senior debut. He did not get many opportunities but proved to be a decent player in the absence of Ramos and Pepe. The Spaniard is one for the future, but for now, he will have to deal with a rating of 75.
Danilo: 81 → 79
The Brazilian had a dismal campaign. After being signed for a hefty sum much was expected from the Porto man. But he disappointed and will definitely be downgraded for next season.
Order FIFA 17 here
#2 Midfielders
The Los Blancos have never been short of extraordinary midfielders. From Zidane to Beckham, most of the great playmakers have represented Madrid at some point in their career. With the likes of Modric, Kroos and James by their side, Madrid has one of most balanced midfield in Europe.
James Rodriguez: 87 → 87
The Colombian had an average season. He spent most of the La Liga campaign warming the bench. He was a key part of their Copa Del Rey and Champions League campaign. He had a few good moments, not a lot to upgrade his already impressive 87 rating.
Casemiro: 77 → 80
The young Brazilian was Real Madrid’s brightest prospect last term. He was impressive in every department. He defended like a rock and passed like a hawk. A big upgrade beckons the 24-year-old defensive midfielder.
Isco: 84 → 83
The young Spaniard was rarely used last season. When he was given a chance to perform, he failed miserably. Isco needs to move from Madrid if he has a chance of resurrecting his career. Yes, it’s a downgrade for him.
Mateo Kovacic: 78 → 78
The young gun from Croatia had a season to forget. The midfielder made way for Casemiro and found it hard to obtain a substantial amount of game time. Considering his age and potential, FIFA will not downgrade Kovacic.
Luka Modric: 87 → 88
The Croatian was at his best last term. The star, the brains of a side whose play always passes through the midfielder. He is the creative source, organizer and the extra man in defense. He is a complete midfielder. When he is off, so are Madrid. Modric is predicted to get an 88 rated card for FIFA 17.
Toni Kroos: 87 → 87
The German midfielder ended the season exhausted and had been on the wane since January. He is an irreplaceable player and the amount of minutes he spent on the pitch finally caught up to him. Nevertheless, he is one of Madrid’s best player’s and enjoyed a wonderful Euro 2016 campaign.
Gareth Bale: 87 → 88
The Welshman has been the best performing component of the BBC last season. He has come out strong after a series of injuries and still ended up scoring 19 goals and assisted a further 15. Bale had an unforgettable Euro 2016 campaign, guiding Wales to the semi-finals. A definite contender for receiving an upgrade next season.
Order FIFA 17 here
#3 Forwards
With the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Alvaro Morata, Real Madrid possesses one of the strongest attacks in club football. They are a defender’s nightmare and can terrorize the opposition with ease. Benzema and Morata are some of the most used striker cards and Ronaldo is one of the toughest cards to pack in the game.
Lucas Vazquez: 76 → 77
The youngster from Brazil had a good season. He provided numerous assists as a substitute. With Jese Rodriguez moving to PSG, the onus is on Lucas to make the most of his chances and become a permanent member of Real Madrid’s attack. A small upgrade beckons the youngster.
Alvaro Morata: 81 → 83
The Spaniard enjoyed a wonderful 26 months at Juventus. He scored plenty of goals and assisted much more. A complete striker, Morata can destroy the strongest of defences with ease. With the likes of Benzema, Bale, and Ronaldo by his side, he could be the next big striker from Spain.
Karim Benzema: 86 → 88
His personal problems have overshadowed his second most prolific season with Real Madrid, in which he scored 28 goals. The striker missed out on the Euros due to the legal issues and will be looking forward to making a statement in the upcoming season. His performances have been worthy of an upgrade and is one of the favorites to get a high rated card this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo:93 → 94
The Portuguese wizard has been the best player for his club this season. He netted 35 goals in 36 La Liga appearances. If that was not enough to prove his critics wrong, he won the Euros with Portugal and cemented his name in the record books. He will be on par with Messi in FIFA 17.
Order FIFA 17 here
