Football Manager 2023 is one of the most highly sought-after games coming to shelves in the next few months.
Sports Interactive has released a new game every year since 2005, when the game first split from Championship Manager, and 2023 is unlikely to be any different.
Football Manager 2022 was a huge hit for Sports Interactive and has now sold over a million copies, according to Miles Jacobson, the head honcho at the studio.
With the new game set to release later this year, we’ve taken a quick stab at predicting the 10 very best players in the game.
Football Manager operates on two ability types, from Current Ability to Potential Ability. The highest CA available is 200. The same goes for PA.
We’ve taken a look at the best players from FM22, and thrown in some predictions of our own, to come up with this list.
10. Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
LEEDS, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road on September 12, 2021 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
An absolute Rolls-Royce defender, Van Dijk was the ninth best player in FM22, and the very best central defender. We don’t see that changing.
9. Manuel Neuer – Bayern Munich
Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - Group C - Germany v Italy - Borussia-Park, Moenchengladbach, Germany - June 14, 2022 Germany's Manuel Neuer celebrates their third goal, scored by Thomas Muller REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen
Neuer remains the best goalkeeper in the world despite his age and will remain the best goalkeeper in the game in FM23.
8. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 First Leg - Inter Milan v Liverpool - San Siro, Milan, Italy - February 16, 2022 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo
Salah underwent something of a dip last season but he remains one of the very best attacking players in world football, and his pace, technique and finishing mark him out as one of the best attackers in FM23.
7. Karim Benzema – Real Madrid
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The France international enjoyed perhaps his best ever season in 2022/23 as the Spanish club won both La Liga and the Champions League. He scored 44 goals in 46 games and is ageing like a fine wine.
6. Erling Haaland – Manchester City
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Erling Haaland of Manchester City smiles during the Manchester City Summer Signing Presentation Event at Etihad Stadium on July 10, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Haaland was the 13th-best player in FM22 but we’ve given him a big bump here because of his move to City and last season’s form, as he scored 29 times in 30 games.
5. Harry Kane – Spurs
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - JULY 13: Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with team mate Harry Kane after scores the sixth goal during the preseason friendly match between Tottenham Hotspur and Team K League at Seoul World Cup Stadium on July 13, 2022 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images)
Looked reborn under boss Antonio Conte, and will continue to be a fearsome striker option on FM.
4. Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City celebrates after scoring their sides first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 06, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
The best player in the Premier League last season on FM22, and we can’t see it changing after he played a major role in the club’s title triumph.
3. Lionel Messi – PSG
PAMPLONA, SPAIN - JUNE 05: Lionel Messi of Argentina reacts during the international friendly match between Argentina and Estonia at Estadio El Sadar on June 05, 2022 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
It’s Messi. He’s not the best in the world anymore, but he remains an absolutely incredible footballer.
2. Kylian Mbappe – PSG
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 09: Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg Two match between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 09, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
Mbappe remains a young player and he has just signed a bumper new contract with the club. He’s set to become the best player in the world, although he isn’t quite there yet.
1. Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona
WOLFSBURG, GERMANY - MAY 14: Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates after their side finished the season as Bundesliga champions during the Bundesliga match between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern München at Volkswagen Arena on May 14, 2022 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Barca have snapped up the Poland international, who is the best striker in world football. He scored 50 goals last season. We’re plumping for him as the best player on FM23.