In recent decades, the perception and application of the winger position has changed dramatically. Most wingers are no longer expected to hug the sidelines and focus primarily on getting balls into the penalty area. Instead, they are instructed by most modern managers to be in and around the penalty area during the attacking phases and are expected to be a major source of goals and assists. This change was largely due to the likes of Ronaldo, Messi and Robben, who have been an inspiration to many of the top players in the world today and changed the way managers treat large areas of the pitch.
Like most years, EA has regularly released reviews for its next and final game in the FIFA series, FIFA 23. Many Ultimate Team fans will want to spend a significant portion of their budget on winger positions, with these highly regarded wingers being all ideal choices.
NOTE: This list only looks at players in the LW and RW positions; players in the LM and RM positions are not considered.
7 Riyadh Mahrez – 86
Riyad Mahrez’s career got a surge in fame when he was a key part of the Leicester City squad that shocked the world by winning the Premier League. He moved to Manchester City a few seasons later and is today regarded as one of the best wingers in the league.
Despite Mahrez’s quality, he often sits on the bench, a testament to the incredible depth Manchester City currently have. Mahrez’s excellent ball control and solid pace, and finishing attributes will certainly make him an expensive option for the right-hand position in FIFA 23‘s Ultimate Team mode.
6 Raheem Sterling – 86
The 2022 summer transfer window was one of the most exciting in history, with plenty of big names on the move as well as a handful of fascinating transfer sagas. Raheem Sterling was one of many star players to move when he left Manchester for London on his move to Chelsea. Sterling has since revealed that playing time was a major factor in his decision to move, which is understandable given his quality.
Like Mahrez, Sterling will certainly be an expensive option in FIFA 23 due to its excellent ball control, finishing and pace properties.
5 Vinicius Jr. – 86
It wasn’t too long ago that many people thought that Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior would not be a success at Real Madrid, mainly due to his lack of goals. However, the player silenced his critics over the 2021-2022 period with a string of outstanding performances, scoring 17 goals in La Liga and a handful in the Champions League, including the one that won Real Madrid the tournament.
In addition to his excellent stats, the fact that Vinícius Júnior has become a fan favorite will certainly cost him a significant amount in FIFA 23 Ultimate team.
4 Heung-Min son – 89
Heung-Min Son enjoyed his best goalscoring season in 2021-2022, with 23 goals in 35 Premier League appearances, leveling him with Salah for the Golden Boot. Son’s excellent positioning and great finishing ability, especially from outside the box, have made him one of the most dangerous players in the league.
In a team that has built its attack around Harry Kane for years, Son has done well to distinguish himself as an equally important player on the side.
3 Neymar Jr – 89
Young Brazilian forward being called the ‘next big thing’ is certainly not uncommon. However, the hype surrounding Neymar during his time at Santos was something else, as the player single-handedly brought a wave of attention to the Brazilian league.
Neymar did not disappoint when he arrived at Barcelona and after a short period of adjustment became an important part of the team. Since then, he has been regarded as one of the world’s best wingers and his stats are in FIFA 23 are certainly a reflection of that.
2 Mohamed Salah – 90
When Mohamed Salah left Chelsea, it looked like he would be one of many promising players who fail to reach their high potential. But that all changed after a stellar stint at Roma and a transfer to Liverpool, where Salah under Klopp surpassed even the highest expectations to become one of the world’s best players.
Salah just missed a rating of 91, the highest in the game this year. While this is unfortunate for the Egyptian, it’s hard to deny that his form fell short of his high standards in 2022.
1 Lionel Messi – 91
Many people had expected Messi to be a one-club man and spend his entire career at Barcelona, which is why his transfer to PSG in 2021 was so shocking. Barcelona’s financial problems prevented them from paying the Argentine’s salary, so he made his way to Paris to reunite with former team-mate Neymar.
While Messi’s first season at PSG was disappointing, the legendary player has been given a rating of 91 in FIFA 23making him the joint best player in the game along with De Bruyne, Benzema, Lewandowski and Mbappe.
0 Comments