Here’s the 50 best players in the world, according to the new FIFA 14 ratings anyway

No argument with the top two, but after that, the debate begins in earnest…

As we count down the days until FIFA 14 hits the shelves, and our consoles about 20 minutes later, EA have released their all-important ratings for the top 50 players in the game. Using the six metrics of Pace, Dribbling, Shooting, Defence, Passing and Heading, the lads at EA have put, surprise surprise, Lionel Messi at No 1 with an overall rating of 94. Cristiano Ronaldo is settled into his familiar second spot with a rating of 92, even though he beats Messi in four of the six metrics. Hmmm. Frank Ribery pops up in third, Falcao is a bit of a surprise in four while Andres Iniesta rounds out the Top Five. The highest Premier League player is Robin van Persie at No 6 (Rating 89), putting him ahead of Xavi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Arjen Roben and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Wayne Rooney is at No 13, behind Man City duo of Sergio Aguero and David Silva while Real Madrid new boy Gareth Bale is at No 17 (Rating 87), one place ahead of Real Madrid old boy Mesut Ozil. We realise that the FIFA rating is not an exact science, with exciting, game-changing players certain to have more appeal in a game than a doughty, but dull, defender. Still, the FIFA list isn’t too far off to our mind, and gives us plenty of food for thought as we try to construct our FIFA Ultimate Team. You can check out the full list here and the game arrives on September 27.