More than a month after 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi officially announced his retirement from Argentine national team on August 31st.
Messi's departure means more than simply stepping away from Argentina shirt; it also means losing a long-standing central figure on World Cup and continental stage. Around the same period, EA also revealed the new EA Sports FC 27 player ratings, and the changes near the top of the rankings are equally striking.
Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland both have a 91 OVR, Lamine Yamal and Jude Bellingham have moved into the 90 tier, while Messi sits at 89.
When these rating changes coincide with real-world football developments, rather than worrying about how high Messi's rating can be maintained, it's more important to consider who has already developed the qualities to become the next central figure in football.
Messi Is Still Elite at 89 OVR
Messi in FC 27 is still very strong. Below his 89 OVR, he also boasts 87 Shooting, 89 Passing, and 90 Dribbling, though his Pace has dropped to 76.
These statistics perfectly reflect his current career trajectory: while his explosiveness and coverage have declined with age, his ball handling, chance creation, and finishing ability still keep him among the top players.
However, the significance of 89 rating transcends the rating itself. EA has long placed Messi near the game's highest rating tier, but in FIFA 27, his 89 OVR now sits below several stars from the next generation.
Furthermore, with his national team career officially over, he will no longer be a central figure in the narratives of major international tournaments like World Cup and Copa America. FUT 27's 89 OVR doesn't negate Messi's continued top-tier ability; rather, it serves as a clear dividing line between eras.
Mbappé Leads the New Era
Looking only at the next three to five years, Mbappé remains the safest choice. FC 27 gave him a 91 OVR, tying Haaland for the highest rating among male footballers, along with 96 Pace, 91 Shooting, and 92 Dribbling. EA also listed him as the fastest player in the game.
In Ultimate Team, that combination will likely make Mbappé one of the most expensive players to acquire with FUT 27 coins.
But ratings are only one part of the equation. Mbappé is in his prime, playing at a top club like Real Madrid and consistently a key attacking force for French national team.
He has World Cup experience, consistent goal-scoring ability, and high global recognition. His speed, one-on-one skills, dribbling, and shooting abilities allow him to consistently create decisive moments in matches.
From this perspective, 91 OVR simply confirms his current position. At this stage, Mbappé remains the closest to taking over the core role in football.
Haaland Takes a Different Path
Haaland offers another answer. He also has a 91 OVR, a 92 Shooting rating that even surpasses Mbappé's, and 89 Physical and 87 Pace.
In contrast, 80 Dribbling and 71 Passing clearly demonstrate EA's positioning of him: a super striker who relies on positioning, strength, and finishing ability to establish an advantage.
Haaland can continue to compete for the highest OVR for many years to come and will remain a long-time topic of discussion among top strikers.
However, the strongest striker and the most representative player of an era are still different.
Norway has historically had fewer opportunities to compete deep into major international tournaments in major tournaments, and his role is more focused on the penalty area and scoring goals, rarely taking on the roles of playmaker, forward runner, and creative force like Messi.
That doesn't limit Haaland's ceiling; it simply gives him a very different route to becoming the face of this era. He could very well become the most consistent goal-scoring machine of this era; whether he can further become a core figure in the entire football world requires many more factors.
Yamal Has The Highest Ceiling
The player who makes FIFA 27 rankings show a clear generational shift is actually Yamal.
At 19 years old, he has already reached 90 OVR, with 86 Pace, 84 Shooting, 87 Passing, and 93 Dribbling. This dribbling rating is tied for the highest tier in the game with Ousmane Dembélé, even surpassing Mbappé.
For Ultimate Team players, a 90-rated Yamal with 93 Dribbling could quickly become one of the most sought-after cards, especially once players begin spending EA Sports FC 27 coins on early squad upgrades.
Age makes this 90 OVR rating particularly important. Mbappé and Haaland have entered their mature phase, while Yamal still has a full developmental period ahead.
He plays for both Barcelona and Spain, both teams providing long-term championship competition, international tournaments, and global attention. As a left-footed right winger, he excels at dribbling, creating space, and delivering the final pass - qualities that easily draw comparisons to Messi.
However, such comparisons need to be balanced. Yamal is still far from Messi's completed career, and there's no need to prematurely label him as the next Messi.
But considering his FUT 27 rating and age, he certainly possesses the most outstanding potential among this group of young players. A 90 OVR at 19 years old also means he still has the potential to achieve even higher ratings in the future.
Bellingham Stands Out Differently
Bellingham also boasts a 90 OVR, and his attributes are remarkably well-rounded: 79 Pace, 86 Shooting, 83 Passing, 88 Dribbling, 79 Defending, and 85 Physical.
He has virtually no glaring weaknesses, and few players of his caliber can maintain such completeness in attack, progression, duels, and defense simultaneously.
Real Madrid and England have provided him with a sufficiently large platform. In the coming years, as long as his club and national team continue to compete for top-level titles, Bellingham will have the potential to be a contender in the world's best player discussions.
His strength lies precisely in this versatility. Mbappé has 96 Pace, Yamal has 93 Dribbling, and Haaland has 92 Shooting - each possessing distinct top-tier attributes. Bellingham, however, is more like a modern midfield maestro capable of influencing the entire match.
Such a player can certainly be a pillar of a team; however, in the battle for the highest spotlight in football, strikers who consistently create goals and one-on-one opportunities are usually more likely to attract attention.
His all-around profile could also make him a valuable option for Ultimate Team players who prefer spending FC coins on versatile midfielders rather than pure attackers.
A New Hierarchy After Messi
Messi's departure has left another question: who will be Argentina's next core player? FC 27's answer isn't yet clear. Messi remains the highest-rated player in Argentina at 89, followed by Lautaro Martínez at 87, and Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández, both at 86.
This means that after Messi's retirement, there isn't a single 90+ OVR player in Argentine squad who can naturally take over that position.
Lautaro currently has the highest rating, while Julián Álvarez has a greater age advantage and more room for development in the longer term. However, 86 is still significantly lower than 91 level where Mbappé and Haaland are.
In contrast, the new hierarchy in global football is much clearer. Mbappé and Haaland, both at 91 OVR, remain at the forefront; 19-year-old Yamal and Bellingham have already reached 90, representing a new generation of players approaching the top.
After Messi's departure from the national team, the football world may not see another player completely replicating his status for a long time.
FC 27 reflects a power imbalance: Mbappé is closest to becoming the current world's top player, Haaland continues to compete for the top spot based on his goal-scoring ability, while Yamal and Bellingham represent the longer-term future.
Looking only at the present, Mbappé is closest to taking over; however, if we extend the timeframe to the next five to ten years, Yamal may be the name worth watching most closely.
