EA Sports has unveiled the latest player ratings for EA FC 27, shining a spotlight on the stars of the Saudi Pro League. While the SPL may not rank among the world’s elite leagues and wasn’t featured in the global top ratings, it remains a popular destination for established stars and experienced professionals seeking lucrative contracts in the Middle East. This year’s edition once again features household names like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, though the hierarchy at the top has undergone a notable shift that reflects the natural progression of these legendary careers.
The most significant headline from this year’s ratings reveal is that Portuguese midfielder Rúben Neves has emerged as the highest-rated player in the Saudi Pro League. This represents a changing of the guard, as the former Wolverhampton Wanderers star, who joined Al-Hilal in 2023, has finally claimed the top spot in the league’s virtual representation. Neves, known for his exceptional passing range, vision, and ability to control the tempo of matches, has been rewarded for his consistent performances in Saudi Arabia with a rating that places him above even the most decorated names in the competition.
Ronaldo’s Rating Decline Continues
Perhaps the most talked-about aspect of this year’s SPL ratings is the continued decline in Cristiano Ronaldo’s overall rating. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who made a high-profile move to Al-Nassr in January 2023, has seen his rating drop for the second consecutive year. While Ronaldo continues to perform at an impressive level for his age, regularly finding the back of the net in Saudi Arabia, EA Sports has adjusted his rating to reflect the natural decline that comes with being 40 years old. This marks a stark contrast to his peak years when he consistently received 94+ ratings and was among the highest-rated players in the entire game.
The decline in Ronaldo’s rating is not necessarily a reflection of poor performance but rather an acknowledgment of the aging process that affects all footballers. During his prime years at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, Ronaldo was virtually unstoppable, earning ratings that placed him in direct competition with Lionel Messi for the game’s highest honor. His move to Saudi Arabia, while commercially successful, has inevitably led to adjustments in how EA Sports evaluates his current abilities, particularly in areas such as pace and stamina where age takes its most obvious toll.
Benzema and Other Notable SPL Stars
Karim Benzema, another former European giant who made the move to Saudi Arabia, also features prominently in this year’s ratings. The French striker, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2022 during his final season with Real Madrid, joined Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 and has remained one of the league’s most technically gifted players. Like Ronaldo, Benzema has also experienced some rating adjustments, though his ability to link up play and create chances for teammates continues to be reflected in his overall score.
The Saudi Pro League has invested billions of dollars in recent years to attract top-tier talent from Europe’s biggest leagues. Beyond Ronaldo and Benzema, the league has successfully recruited players like Sadio Mané, N’Golo Kanté, and numerous other internationally recognized stars. This influx of talent has raised the league’s global profile significantly, even if it hasn’t yet translated into recognition among the world’s top footballing divisions. For EA FC 27, this means the SPL offers players a unique opportunity to build competitive squads featuring familiar names at potentially lower prices than their European counterparts.
Impact on Ultimate Team and Career Mode
For players engaging with EA FC 27’s popular Ultimate Team and Career Mode features, the SPL ratings present interesting opportunities. The presence of high-rated players in a league outside the traditional European powerhouses creates unique squad-building possibilities. Players looking to add legends like Ronaldo or Benzema to their teams may find them more accessible than in previous years when these stars were competing in La Liga, Serie A, or the Premier League. Additionally, the league’s financial backing in Career Mode makes it an attractive destination for managers looking to build superteams or experience something different from the usual European league dominance.
Expert Opinion: The shift in Saudi Pro League ratings, with Neves overtaking Ronaldo, signals EA Sports’ commitment to reflecting real-world performance rather than relying solely on legacy reputation. As the SPL continues its aggressive recruitment of European stars, expect future editions to feature even more competitive ratings as younger players in their prime join the league, potentially making it a more viable option for competitive Ultimate Team play.
