EA Sports’ FIFA franchise is one of the most popular video games in the market. With every year, the developers tend to improve on the last year’s instalment, as they try to make the gaming experience more and more life-like.
An integral part of this process is reflecting a player’s true on-field attributes in the game. And so far, the developers have done a pretty decent job.
The highlight of any normal person’s life would probably be getting digitally recreated in a worldwide best-selling video game. However, when you are a star footballer, you can afford to be disappointed with the results.
On that note, here are five world-class footballers who did not make any efforts to hide their angst at their ratings in FIFA 17.
#1 Mats Hummels
If a World Cup-winning defender, who is regarded as one of the best defenders in the world, decides that he is not happy with some of his ratings in the game, then he is probably right, isn’t he?
Mats Hummels, who joined Bayern Munich in the summer, has settled down seamlessly at his new club. A World Cup medal, two Bundesliga trophies in his cabinet (and probably more to come), and yet not everything is perfect in his life.
When FIFA 17 ratings were revealed, Hummels found out that he boasted a speed rating of 64. Although he is not particularly very fast, the German was obviously not amused to find that he was 15 short of centre-half partner Jerome Boateng.
Just before his birthday last December, Hummels tweeted that he would want his speed rating to increase in the next instalment as his birthday gift. We certainly can’t disagree with you, Mats.
#2 Rio Ferdinand
Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has won lots of accolades during his playing career. Six Premier League medals and one Champions League medal adorns his personal cabinet.
Of course, the Englishman was included in FIFA 17’s ‘legends’ feature that includes players that once ruled the football world. The objective for this feature is to give the FIFA enthusiasts an opportunity to play as them despite being retired.
Ferdinand’s ratings stand at a very impressive 88. However, the now TV pundit disagrees with FIFA’s appraisal. He is of the opinion that his ratings should be given a massive boost, especially his passing and pace rating, and even threatened (in jest, obviously) to come down and tear EA Sports’ place.
The man marshalled the defence of one the greatest Premier League side of all times for over a decade. Surely, he deserves a higher rating than 88?
#3 Harry Kane
Tottenham’s Harry Kane has been in terrific form ever since he burst onto the scene a couple of years back. He finished with 25 goals last term which saw him win the Premier League Golden boot.
Although Kane did see his overall rating go up from 78 to 84, he could not hide his disappointment on seeing his shooting and defensive ratings. Speaking to Copa 90 at the revealing of his rating, he said:
"I think shooting has got to be in the 90s and defending, I think, has gone down a bit from the last one. My defending of corners is quite good. I would like to see that one improve. The passing could definitely be a bit higher and better than 71."
We are not too sure about the defending thing but Kane definitely deserved a higher rating in shooting at least. Of course, with the winter upgrade that is about to change.
#4 Romelu Lukaku
Unlike the others on this list, Everton forward Romelu Lukaku is unhappy with the winter upgrades that were released last week. Although a majority of the players saw their ratings getting boosted, the Belgian’s rating did not change from 84.
This season, Lukaku has done everything to confirm his status as one of the top strikers in world football. He has scored 16 goals in 24 league appearances, including 4 in a match against Bournemouth.
He is only one behind top scorer Alexis Sanchez in the race for the Premier League’s golden boot and yet EA seems to have failed to take notice. Whereas the likes of Eden Hazard, Sanchez have got a boost in their ratings, Lukaku was overlooked.
The former Chelsea striker took to Twitter to take a cheeky swipe at EA Sports and FIFA on social media earlier yesterday.
#5 Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial is known for his blistering pace and ability to eat up the ground that helps make him a frightening prospect for opposition defenders.
After being named in the FIFA FUT Team of the Week following an impressive display against Watford last weekend, Martial was handed an upgraded rating card by the EA. However, the Frenchman was not at all impressed with his pace rating.
At 93 (pace, which is on par with a certain speedster named Cristiano Ronaldo), he is one the fastest players in the game. But still, he is not happy. Martial even took to Twitter demanding how he can make the pace rating go up to the magical mark of 99.
Perhaps, if he can continue his superb form, EA will reassess his ratings. He was not amongst one of the United players who got an upgrade following the winter update, but surely we can hope that his ratings will go up in FIFA 18.
