Fifa | World Cup 2006 Game Player Ratings

Here is the story of the game, told through its most iconic player ratings. The Gods (94-97) Ronaldinho (97 OVR) – Brazil He was the cover star, the magician, the cheat code. A 97 rating meant he could dribble through the entire Czech Republic defense without breaking stride. In the game, his skill move star rating was maxed out. The story should have been his tournament. But in the real 2006 World Cup, he went quiet. In the game, however? He was eternal. You’d rainbow flick over three defenders just because you could.

It’s the Berlin final. In the game, Totti (89 OVR) is dictating play. Gattuso (86 OVR) is slide tackling everything that moves. Materazzi (78 OVR) is… well, he’s there.

The ratings fade to black. But the story doesn't end. Because in FIFA 2006 , player ratings weren't just statistics. They were a time capsule of a specific summer: the last dance of Zidane, the emergence of Ronaldo & Messi as low-rated silver cards, and the peak of the golden generation. fifa world cup 2006 game player ratings

The American hope. An 84 rating felt insulting to US fans, but compared to the rest of the world, it was accurate. His pace was 89. In the story of the game, Donovan was the "annoying little brother"—not strong enough to win the cup, but fast enough to score a sweaty goal against your Brazil team to make you throw the controller. The "Wait, he's that low?" (70-79) Lionel Messi (78 OVR) – Argentina Here is the most famous rating in FIFA 2006 history. An 18-year-old kid with a 78 overall. Low stamina. Low strength. But 91 acceleration and 5-star weak foot. The game didn't know what he was yet. If you were a hipster player, you subbed him on in the 60th minute and dribbled past the entire Serbian defense. The story of this rating is hindsight: EA gave him a 78. The real world gave him the title of "Greatest of All Time."

A 79. Let that sink in. He was still "C. Ronaldo" with the terrible frosted tips. He had 92 dribbling but 68 finishing. In the game, he was a trick pony—stepovers for days, but he'd shoot the ball into Row Z. The story here is the origin arc. By the 2006 final, he was crying after the Portugal loss. By 2008, he was a 95. But in FIFA 06 ? He was just a skinny kid who fell over too much. The Final Whistle You boot up a quick match: Italy vs. France . Here is the story of the game, told

The fact that he was in the game at a 89 was a miracle. Ukraine had never qualified for a World Cup before. Shevchenko, fresh off a disastrous move to Chelsea (in real life), was still a cyborg in the game. 90 finishing. 87 strength. He carried every player’s Career Mode save to glory.

You hit "Rematch."

The crowd roars. The plastic pitch glows. The story begins again.