FC26 name the top 26 footballers in the world as Mbappe is BEATEN to top spot

Kylian Mbappe has been forced to share top spot once more in EA Sports, with the new FC26 ratings confirming he is no the game's headline act.

The Real Madrid forward, who hit 43 goals and provided five assists across the 2024-25 campaign, has been given a 91 overall rating.

But Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah has matched that number after another sensational season at Anfield, where he scored 34 goals, laid on 23 assists and fired Arne Slot's side to the Premier League title.

Behind the leading duo, the 90 bracket is stacked with big names, with Jude Bellingham, one of this year's cover stars, sitting alongside Erling Haaland after standout campaigns in Spain and England.

Bellingham followed last year's Champions League-winning debut with another impressive year in LaLiga and Europe.

Haaland, meanwhile, scored freely in an injury-hit campaign for Manchester City, his strike rate remained elite even with minutes managed.

Ousmane Dembele is there too after driving Paris Saint-Germain to a long-awaited European crown, his pace and trickery decisive in finally ending the club’s Champions League curse.

Virgil van Dijk also keeps his place among the very best after captaining Liverpool to the Premier League title, while Rodri retains a 90 despite missing most of the year with an ACL injury, a nod to his long-term dominance at the heart of City’s midfield.

The ratings bring the upcoming Ballon d'Or race into sharp focus, with the ceremony set to take place later this month.

Mbappe is not regarded as a frontrunner despite his numbers, instead backing his France colleague Dembele to take home the prize.

'Does Ousmane Dembele deserve it? Of course! If it were up to me, I'd deliver it to his house,' Mbappe told TF1 while on international duty.

Salah has made no secret of his ambition either, declaring in May that this is his 'best chance' of finally lifting the Golden Ball after driving Liverpool to silverware.

Yamal, already an 89 on EA's game, is also tipped to be in the frame after a remarkable breakout year at Barcelona.

The 89 club is led by Harry Kane, who enjoyed another prolific year in Germany, along with Vinicius Junior, Pedri, Federico Valverde and Thibaut Courtois.

Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Gabriel are included in the 88s, alongside Musiala, Alexander Isak and veteran striker Robert Lewandowski.

But for the virtual world at least, the headline is clear. Mbappé once again has to share the summit, with Salah joining him as EA’s joint highest-rated player.