With FIFA 19 for the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 available from September 25, it's only natural that with just two months to go, speculation is rife on what ratings players receive in the game. FIFA 19 player ratings are a subject of speculation for many a hardcore FIFA fan and the process is as herculean as you'd think. It involves a network of around 9,000 reviewers, 300 data pools, and 35 categories to sift through and assess 18,000 players. According to sports site Bleacher Report, EA Sports Head of Data Collection and Licensing for FIFA, Michael Mueller-Moehring has the unenviable task of putting FIFA 19 player ratings together. Coming up with the FIFA 19 player ratings includes assessing all 18,000-plus players featured on FIFA 19 through a network of nearly 9,000 reviewers including talent scouts and season-ticket holders who relay their opinions through EA's central data pool. This is followed by 300 data editors collating this information into 300 different data pools. It's from here that FIFA 19's 35 attributes are derived. However the "eye test" of seeing players in action supersedes the available hard data due to the vast range of players recreated in-game. It also means that those who take offence to their FIFA ratings (and there are a few) have no excuse. "If Messi were playing in the Irish League, his attributes would drop simply because he's not on the highest level anymore," Mueller-Moehring told ESPN around the launch of FIFA 17. A player in a low tier league, due to this, is unlikely to exceed a certain attribute ceiling. There is also no metric for physical attributes since, as Mueller-Moehring concedes, "There are fast and strong players in every league in the world." It will be interesting to see what FIFA 19's player ratings bring and hopefully, this time around fans of the series get the game on time. Be it FIFA 16, FIFA 17, or FIFA 18, Amazon India - EA's exclusive retail partner in India doesn't have the best track record with parallel imports beating the e-commerce giant to the punch year on year. Hopefully after three years of FIFA delays, this year's game actually shows up on time. If you're a fan of video games, check out Transition, Gadgets 360's gaming podcast. You can listen to it via Apple Podcasts or RSS, or just listen to this week's episode by hitting the play button below.<doc-sep>Guess who he knocked off the top spot? It was only a matter of time before Cristiano Ronaldo completed his Ultimate Team transfer for Real Madrid to Juventus. Lo and behold, at the end of last week we finally saw his ‘new’ card. FIFA 19 Standard and Champions Editions are available to pre-order from GAME and Amazon Well, we say new but it’s actually a carbon copy of his base Ultimate Team item – which boasts an impressive 94 rating. Still, it’s rocketed Ronaldo to the top of Serie A’s highest-rated players – pipping former Real Madrid teammate Gonzalo Higuain to the top-spot in FIFA 18. Despite a plethora of boosts and upgrades throughout the season, we’re very much given an entry level Ronaldo here. However, with 90 pace, 90 dribbling, 93 shooting, 82 passing and 80 physicality – coupled with five-star skills and a four-star weak-foot – most will agree he’s still far better than most. Interestingly, the transfer also makes CR7 the highest rated Serie A player in a FIFA game in 13 years. Getty - Contributor 6 Get your hands off my shirt As cited in the MailOnline, Gianluigi Buffon was rated 95 in FIFA 2006 – long before Ultimate Team existed. Elsewhere, fans are eagerly awaiting to get their first proper look at FIFA 19, which will be playable at next month’s Gamescom expo in Cologne. What will be the biggest changes this year? There are a host of new gameplay features and tweaks set to arrive to this year’s game. Here are the most important. 6 Neymar was a big part of the FIFA 19 trailer Sweet spot If you tap Circle or B just as your foot hits the ball, you massively increase the chance of striking it into the top corner. It’s all about timing, so get it wrong and you’ll be punished with a scuffed shot. Tactics Game plans have been introduced this year – which are set up before a match. Here, you can set what tactics your team has depending on certain situations – such as if they’re 1-0 up or losing a match. Once you have made the plans, simply assign to a D-pad press and you’re good to go. FIFA 19 Standard and Champions Editions are available to pre-order from GAME and Amazon Unlike last year, when it was hard to see if a tactical option had been executed, there’s now a clear toggle for on-the-fly instructions. 6 We’ve seen this before You’re also now able to adjust your team’s width and depth, as well as instruct your full backs what kind of runs to make in attack or your centre back to cover certain areas of the pitch. There’s greater control over your team’s defensive style, too – with new settings: “pressure after possession loss,” “constant pressure,” “drop back,” “balanced,” and “pressure on heavy touch.” Sounds great! Revised mini-map A simple but welcome change. One team will now have triangle icons, the other will have circles – so it’s easier to see who’s who. 6 Graphics look to have been tweaked and improved Champions League EA has got everything from the Champions League logo including the commentary team, Derek Rae and Lee Dixon. It’ll also have its own mode and the ability to create custom tournaments. Amazing. Europa League This was slightly overshadowed by the Champions League announcement, but yes the Europa League will also be in FIFA 19. Expect the full broadcast package, too. General gameplay Passing has been re-worked to feel more natural, while a active touch system allows better first touches from different parts of the body. It also opens up the possibility of a feint attack – where, as the ball approaches, you can shift your weight one way, before going the other. 6 Cristiano Ronaldo will be on the cover of FIFA 19 Stepovers, too, are reportedly easier to pull off and look more convincing – making it harder for your opponent to defend against. Finally, 50/50 battles over a loose ball will now take into account more variables than last year – such as reaction time. THESE ARE THE CHEAPEST PLACES TO BUY FIFA 19 – PICK IT UP HERE:<doc-sep>
The countdown of the top 100 players in FIFA 19 continues as we get closer to the release of the game later this month. Romelu Lukaku and Kylian Mbappe were among those featured in yesterdays update which featured players ranked 60-41. Today shows the players ranked as the top 40-31 in the game and it includes two top Premier League stars. Here are the latest FIFA 19 player rankings. FIFA 19 ratings 40-31 40 – Lorenzo Insigne 39 – Samir Handanovic 38 – Gonzalo Higuain 37 – Casemiro 36 – James Rodriguez 35 – Gianluigi Buffon 34 – Christian Eriksen 33 – Paul Pogba 32 – Sergio Busquets 31 – Gareth Bale When is the FIFA 19 release date? FIFA 19 will be available from Friday 28 September on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC (Origin). Players who pre-order the Champions Edition or Ultimate Edition of the game will able to get 3 days early access. What are the new features in FIFA 19? One of the biggest additions to FIFA 19 is the Champions League which is now licensed to be used in the game. As well as having the Champions League tournament in kick-off and Career Mode, there will also be a Champions League mode. Ultimate Team will also have updates based on the Champions League and Europa League. A new active touch system has also been added to the game and enables closer control of the ball, allowing more creativity and new options for first touches. There are also new tactical options and players can have better control over scoring with a timed finishing system that has been introduced for FIFA 19. 50/50 battles on the pitch have also improved as a players reaction and the footballers attributes will help determine who will claim loose balls. FIFA 19 will also include the final installment of The Journey, which is the story mode that lets players follow Alex Hunter as he tries to reach the top and become a football star. MORE : What are the new stadiums being added in FIFA 19? MORE : PES 2019 review – a game of two halves