Ruben Neves takes Saudi Pro League’s FC27 crown as Ronaldo slips to second

Ruben Neves has moved ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the Saudi Pro League’s player ratings for EA SPORTS FC27, ending the Al Nassr captain’s three-year run as the league’s highest-rated player.

The Al Hilal midfielder was given a rating of 85 in the latest list published by EA SPORTS FC, while Portugal team-mate Ronaldo was rated 84.

Ronaldo, who plays for Al Hilal’s traditional local rivals Al Nassr, shares second place with two other players. Al Hilal midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Al Qadsiah forward Julian Quinones also received ratings of 84.

The rankings are based on player ratings in the FC27 football video game and represent a contest away from the pitch between some of the Saudi Pro League’s biggest names.

Neves is the only player from the competition to receive a rating of 85, placing him at the top of the list ahead of Ronaldo. The result marks a change from the previous three years, when Ronaldo had occupied first place among Saudi Pro League players.

Six players were awarded a rating of 83. The group includes Francisco Trincao, Roger Ibanez and Ivan Toney of Al Ahli, alongside Bayern Munich forward Kingsley Coman, Spain defender Inigo Martinez and Portugal forward Joao Felix of Al Nassr.

Several high-profile players were left outside the top 10. Al Hilal’s French pair Karim Benzema and Theo Hernandez were both rated 82, the same score given to Al Nassr forward Sadio Mane.

EA SPORTS FC announced the rankings on social media, presenting the list as a talking point for supporters ahead of the release of FC27.

“The Saudi Pro League’s best. But who deserves the top spot? The Top 27 rated @SPL players in #FC27 are here. Now, let the debate begin. Pre-order today.”

Neves’ rating places him above a number of established global stars who have joined or remain in the Saudi Pro League, including Ronaldo, Benzema, Mane and Hernandez.

The list also highlights the strength of Al Hilal’s representation near the top of the rankings. In addition to Neves, the club has Milinkovic-Savic and Quinones among the players rated 84, while Benzema and Hernandez were both placed on 82.

Ronaldo’s position at the top of the Saudi Pro League’s FC ratings has therefore been replaced by a fellow Portuguese player, although he remains among the highest-rated footballers in the competition. His score of 84 puts him level with two other leading players and one point behind Neves.