The ten best forwards in FIFA 23

FIFA 23 is almost upon us, with the latest release in EA’s football franchise scheduled for 30 September.

The highly-anticipated game is the 30th and final collaboration between the gaming company and world football's governing body, which has only added to the anticipation in the weeks before its release.

With the player ratings now confirmed, we’ve taken a look at the top ten attackers on the game.

Robert Lewandowski - 91

The joint-highest rated player on FIFA 23, Lewandowski is still going strong well into his 30s.

After yet another prolific season at Bayern Munich, the Polish striker earned a move to Barcelona in the summer. And he has, predictably, hit the ground running for the Blaugrana.

Lewandowski is, however, one down on his rating of 92 from FIFA 22.

Kylian Mbappe - 91

Mbappe continues to score at a jaw-dropping rate for Paris Saint-Germain and is now, certainly by EA’s standards, considered one of the best players in the world.

With a 91 rating for the second year running, it’s scary to think how good the 23-year-old might be in a few years’ time.

Karim Benzema - 91

Real Madrid’s talismanic forward has been given a glow-up for FIFA 23, two up from his FIFA 22 rating of 89.

That’s hardly surprising given the Frenchman’s influence as Los Blancos won the Champions League for the 14th time last season.

Benzema netted a career-best 44 goals in all competitions, so his 91 rating is well deserved.

Lionel Messi - 91

Messi remains among the top forwards in the world, but the diminutive Argentine's FIFA rating has dropped from 93 to 91, having been the best player on last year's game. 

A more low-key season following his move to Paris Saint-Germain is the likely explanation, although Messi, even at 35, is still able to turn on the style in an instant, and remains a creative spark in a PSG side now built around providing for Kylian Mbappe.

Cristiano Ronaldo - 90

Ronaldo certainly earned his 90 rating with 24 goals in all competitions last season. But he has found himself repeatedly on the bench since the arrival of new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag in the summer. It’s a bold move from the Dutchman.

Mo Salah - 90

Salah has made the jump from 89 in last year’s game to 90 this time around after another exceptional season at Liverpool.

The start of this campaign has been frustrating for the Egyptian, but expect a player of his quality to hit form very soon.

Neymar - 89

A few injury-hit, ultimately underwhelming seasons for Neymar, despite his undeniable talent, have resulted in a decline from a 91 rating to an 89 in FIFA 23.

The Brazilian is still capable of brilliance, though, and will continue to be a favourite with FIFA players because of his five-star skill rating.

Harry Kane - 89

Perhaps one of the most traditional strikers on this list, and undoubtedly one of the most reliable, Kane is still knocking in goals with unerring regularity for Tottenham.

He may not have the pace of some of his peers, but the power and accuracy of his shot will make him a menace to defend against on FIFA 23.

Son Heung-min - 89

Kane’s teammate Son is again amongst the best attacking players on FIFA after his best season at Spurs, netting 24 goals in all competitions.

The South Korean is in his prime, and alongside Kane makes Spurs a frightening prospect on this year’s edition of the game.

Erling Haaland - 88

Given his start to life at Manchester City, 88 feels like a noticeably low rating for Haaland and is unchanged from his FIFA 22 figure. 

He reached ten Premier League goals after just six games, scoring back-to-back hat-tricks in August and often resembling a grown man playing children’s football.

If he continues at his current rate, Haaland may well be top of this list come next year.