Cristiano Ronaldo’s FIFA rating has hit its lowest level in 16 years.
As if an early World Cup exit and public fallout with Manchester United wasn’t bad enough, the 37-year-old footballer’s score in the popular video game has dropped to 88.
That’s the lowest it’s been since FIFA 07, when developer EA Sports put his number at 87.
Ronaldo had started the season in FIFA 23 as a 90-rated star, after a season which saw him net 18 Premier League goals for United.
But his stock has fallen somewhat since the current campaign began, as his second spell with the Old Trafford club reached an ignominious climax after his fallout with new manager Erik ten Hag.
The Portuguese left the club following a fiery interview with Piers Morgan, in which he said he felt “betrayed” by his employer and had “no respect” for the Dutch coach.
Just a few weeks later, Ronaldo headed to Qatar for the World Cup with national side Portugal, who were beaten by history-making Morocco in the quarter-finals.
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Ronaldo has since joined Saudi Arabian football club Al-Nassr, with a reported £160m annual salary, making him the highest paid footballer in history.
“I’m feeling very good. I’m so proud to make this big decision in my life,” he said after joining.
Ronaldo will immediately become Al Nassr’s best player in FIFA 23, even with his slight downgrade.
It marks the first time in a decade that Ronaldo’s FIFA rating has slipped below 90 – it stood at 89 in FIFA 11.
FIFA 23 is the final game in the series, with EA Sports working on its own series after announcing a dramatic split from football’s governing body after almost 30 years.
The developer’s new franchise will be called EA Sports FC, while FIFA has said it will work with other publishers, studios and investors on future titles.
