From PES to eFootball, Konami launched Pro Evolution Soccer’s controversial successor back in October 2021 and, let’s be honest, it’s not quite up to the same standards as the once iconic game that rivalled FIFA for decades. But let’s not dwell on the quality of the game too much, and instead look at the 10 best players to sign in Master League mode in eFootball 2022.
Looking for the 10 Best Players in eFootball 2022?
10. Virgil van Dijk
Age: 30
Country: Netherlands
Club: Liverpool
Rating: 90
The only defender to make the list, Virgil van Dijk is considered by many as the best centre back in world football right now and it’s hard to disagree, especially when you consider his statistics in eFootball 2022. Dominant both in the air and on the ground, the Dutchman has 90 defensive awareness, 80 defensive engagement, 81 jumping and 80 heading – in other words, he’s absolutely rock solid. He’s deceptively quick too, especially for his size, with 73 speed.
Like all modern day defenders, van Dijk is comfortable on the ball and can play out from the back – with a 75 lofted pass attribute the 30-year-old is capable of turning defence into attack with one long ball forward. Just search for that Champions League ping on YouTube. You know the one I mean. Delightful.
9. Joshua Kimmich
Age: 26
Country: Germany
Club: Bayern Munich
Rating: 90
Originally deployed as a full back, Joshua Kimmich has fast become one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. Tipped by many to become Bayern Munich’s next club captain, the 26-year-old has made almost 200 Bundesliga appearances for the Bavarians and received 64 caps for Germany – he needs 87 more to become the country’s most capped player.
Like Virgil van Dijk, Kimmich is the only player in his position to make the top 10 best players in eFootball 2022. Rated 90 overall, the defensive midfielder is an accomplished passer of the ball and is well suited to the deep-lying playmaker role, similar to the quarterback, with 86 low passing and 85 lofted passing. He’s a ball winner too, often utilising the skills picked up as a right back, like 81 defensive engagement and 80 tackling, to sniff out danger and win back possession.
8. Harry Kane
Age: 28
Country: England
Club: Tottenham
Rating: 90
Tottenham and England talisman Harry Kane is your traditional out and out striker and scorer of all types of goals. 20 yard screamers, bullet headers, back stick tap-ins, Harry Kane’s got it all in his locker. He’s a complete forward. Especially now he’s added more assists to his game – many of which have come from the 28-year-old dropping deep to get on the ball. Link-up play is a part of his game which he has significantly improved in recent years, and as a result it allows both club and country to adopt different styles of play when and where required.
Rated 90 in eFootball 2022 Kane’s greatest attribute is, as you’d expect, his finishing which is 88 in the game, the same as offensive awareness. What he lacks in pace, with 77 speed, he certainly makes up for elsewhere with 85 kicking power, 80 heading and 79 ball control.
7. Jan Oblak
Age: 28
Country: Slovenia
Club: Atletico Madrid
Rating: 91
According to eFootball ratings there’s no better goalkeeper on the planet right now than Slovenian Jan Oblak. Atletico Madrid’s number 1 for eight years, Oblak has made over 250 appearances, winning one La Liga title, and has been capped by his country 44 times at the time of writing.
While not the best with his feet, Oblak does the basics incredibly well. He’s a ridiculously good shot stopper with 85 goalkeeper awareness and 84 reflexes and his handling is second to none with a 85 catching.
6. Kevin De Bruyne
Age: 30
Country: Belgium
Club: Manchester City
Rating: 91
Like the postman Kevin De Bruyne always delivers. Make a run and the Belgium midfielder will find you. Best deployed as an advanced playmaker the 30-year-old has the vision and passing ability to unlock the toughest of defences. Rated 91 in eFootball 2022 Man City’s talisman is on the brink of winning his fourth Premier League title, and he’s played a pivotal role in all four.
The only creative central midfielder to make the list, Kevin De Bruyne’s passing is up there with the very best in the game. He has 88 low passing and 87 lofted passing in eFootball 2022, combined with 80 offensive awareness making him a serious threat in the final third. He’s also an accomplished dribbler, and probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his ball carrying ability. Like all Man City players, he’s technically gifted with 85 ball control, 84 tight possession and 78 dribbling.
5. Neymar Jr.
Age: 29
Country: Brazil
Club: PSG
Rating: 91
Since making his international debut back in 2010, Neymar has gone on to score 70 goals, making him Brazil’s second all-time men’s scorer behind Pelé who leads the way on 77. Still only 29-years-old, it’s surely a matter of when and not if the PSG star will surpass the record – providing he doesn’t suffer a career ending injury that is.
Rated 91 in eFootball 2022 Neymar Jr. is the fifth best player in the game, and the best of his generation. Few players, if any, have more skill or technical ability than the Brazilian forward. With 90 dribbling, 87 ball control and 87 tight possession Neymar has the ball on a string and is difficult to dispossess even when space is at a minimum. But he’s more than a one trick pony, and doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his end product in the final third. 77 offensive awareness combined with 83 low passing and 80 lofted passing shows he has the ability to put it on a plate for those around him.
4. Kylian Mbappe
Age: 23
Country: France
Club: PSG
Rating: 91
After bagging 42 goals in 47 appearances for both club and country last season Kylian Mbappe’s stock continues to rise. The PSG forward is the heir to the throne when it comes to the best player on the planet, with some pundits saying he’s already reached that level. The eFootball 2022 ratings would argue against that though, with the French star rated 91 overall and still only the fourth best player on game.
Pacy and clinical Mbappe has 88 speed, 88 acceleration and 83 finishing. He’s best deployed on the left as an inside forward where he can cut in on his right foot, but he’s also been known to play through the middle as an out-and-out striker.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
Age: 37
Country: Portugal
Club: Manchester United
Rating: 92
At 37-years-old the legend Cristiano Ronalo continues to deliver on the big stage. And while he may not be as prolific or influential as he once was, he’s still one of the best players in world football right now. Rated 92 in eFootball 2022 Ronaldo is the highest goal scorer of all time and still has 84 attacking awareness and 81 finishing attributes.
Since bursting onto the scene as a teenager CR7 has been renowned for his ability in the air. Time and time again we’ve seen him dominate and out jump some of the best and biggest centre backs in world football. And that aspect of his game remains with 87 jumping and 86 heading attributes in eFootball 2022.
2. Lionel Messi
Age: 34
Country: Argentina
Club: PSG
Rating: 93
Lionel Messi is the most decorated player in the history of the Ballon d’Or, having received the award seven times. He’s also won 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns and recently guided Argentina to their first Copa America win in almost 30 years. So it’s easy to see why many consider the diminutive Argentine to be one of, if not, the greatest players of all time.
Now aged 34, and playing for PSG, Messi’s best days are clearly behind him, but he’s still the second best player on the planet according to eFootball’s rankings. Rated 93 overall, Messi remains a phenomenal dribbler, especially at speed, with 90 ball control, 90 balance and 89 dribbling. In the final third he’s as clinical and ruthless as ever with 89 finishing, 88 offensive awareness and 88 set-piece taking. Lionel Messi, the GOAT!
1. Robert Lewandowski
Age: 33
Country: Poland
Club: Bayern Munich
Rating: 93
Last year Robert Lewandowski set a new Bundesliga record, scoring the most goals in a single season, but it wasn’t enough to earn him his first ever Ballon d’Or award – which is criminal. Arguably one of the greatest natural finishers the game has ever seen, Lewandowski is the best player in eFootball 2022 with a rating of 93. Stick the ball in the box and he’ll do the rest with 90 finishing and 88 offensive awareness.
At 6ft Lewandowski is dominant in the air and has 82 heading and 81 jumping. He’s got a good touch too for a big man, 83 ball control paired with 77 physical contact allows the Polish target man to effectively hold the ball up.
So there you have it, the top ten players in eFootball 2022. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to set ridiculous standards, but it’s Robert Lewandowski who’s been handed the top rating.
){kind=link}