FIFA 18 ratings: Astonishing downgrades for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi from previous edition

EA Sports came out with its Top 100 player ratings list for the latest edition of its extremely popular FIFA 18 game and once again, the biggest talking point has been the ratings of top players Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The Top 10 players were released on Sunday and it's the Portuguese forward who is the highest-rated player in the game with a 94 rating, the same from the previous edition. Lionel Messi, on the other hand, is rated a rung lower at 93 -- similar to his rating in FIFA 17. However, it is fascinating to see the change in the statistics for the two superstars over the year, which has revealed some startling results.

Ronaldo has a rating of 94 with a LW position and has some unbelievable numbers at 90 pace, 90 dribbling, 93 shooting, and 82 passing. However, it's surprising to see that he has indeed got a downgrade in his pace and dribbling, which stood at 92 and 91 respectively. However, there has been an increase in his shooting and passing points, which were earlier 92 and 81.

Ronaldo's incredible statistics

The Barca superstar has been rated 93 and is regarded widely as the best dribbler in the world. However, this season has seen him get a small downgrade in his dribbling numbers, which have reduced from 96 to 95. There are no changes in his other statistics remarkably, as his pace, shooting and passing remains at 89, 90 and 86 respectively.

Messi's dribbling stats have taken a hit

The remainder of the top 10 is rounded up by the biggest names in the sport. Gonzalo Higuain starts off the list at #10, followed by Toni Kroos in ninth and Eden Hazard in eighth place. Another Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos makes it in the 7th spot, followed by two Bayern Munich giants Robert Lewandowski and Manuel Neuer.

The top 4 remain the same from the previous edition -- Luis Suarez, Neymar Jr., Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.