FIFA 22 Icons - ranked

A lot of Icons feel more powerful than ever in FIFA 22.

Updates to the motion capturing and animations, including the all-new 11 vs 11 HyperMotion technology, makes player movements feel more realistic than ever before. That's very noticeable when it comes to Icon cards, many of whom feel like completely different players because of this change.

Here's a look at 15 of the best cards on offer in this year's edition.

15. Rio Ferdinand

Whatever your budget, you have to consider buying Rio Ferdinand.

His 85-rated base card comes with more pace, his 90 has the highest defending and his 88 has a nice in-the-middle feel to it. All three cards are bursting with elite stats you want for your centre-backs.

That base icon is actually among the most popular cards on the game, so don't scoff at the rating.

14. Laurent Blanc

Laurent Blanc's mid icon is outstanding. Enough said.

90 defending and 85 physical are unreal stats, and the new HyperMotion technology lets you feel every bit of his 79 pace, which is deadly when combined with his 6'4 frame.

If you find the extra coins, his 91 prime icon has even better stats.

13. Socrates

Another of those to benefit from the new motion capture, Socrates and his 6'4 frame feels so fluid, so players can now finally feel the full extent of the Brazilian's magic.

Socrates' stats are unreal. His 91 prime boasts three stats above 90 to go along with 84 pace and 84 physical, so you can expect him to dominate in every area of the pitch.

His mid and base cards still boast five stats above 80, so whatever your budget, you should be able to land a gem.

12. Cafu

It's a straight shoot-out between Cafu and Carlos Alberto for the honour of the game's best right-back, but we've gone for the former.

His 90-rated mid is fast, powerful and technically brilliant, with 87 passing and 85 dribbling making him a massive threat going forward - and don't forget about those 4* skills.

Prime Cafu, a 93-rated RWB, gets two stats above 90 and five above 85.

11. Paolo Maldini

Is Paolo Maldini the best centre-back on the game? At this point, it'd be tough to argue against that.

His 88-rated base is a solid left-back, but it's that 92 mid card that ups the levels. 95 defending.

If that's not enough for you, the Italian comes with 82 pace, 81 physical and medium/high work rates. He's absolutely perfect.

10. Zinedine Zidane

You get what you expect from Zinedine Zidane. His mid card is 94 overall and can do everything. Only two of his stats aren't green.

He's best as a CAM, but he has the kind of skillset that even works as a striker, and his boosted defending would make him a pretty decent CM as well. There's always a way to get him into your team.

When that 96 prime comes out, it's game over.

9. Emilio Butragueno

He's not the highest rated, but Emilio Butragueno's card feels like a cheat code. It's just that good.

Butragueno's mid icon is one of FIFA 22's best kept secrets. His 92 pace, 91 dribbling and 88 shooting are predictably excellent, but there's something extra special about this card, and it just might be his 92 positioning. He seems to get every rebound.

If you're lucky enough to get your hands on his 92 prime, you'll be in for a treat.

8. Ronaldinho

Until Ronaldinho's prime gets here, fans can enjoy his two CAM cards. The 89 base is fine, but that 91 mid is next level.

If you ever watched Ronaldinho, you know what you're going to get from this card. It's quick, excellent on the ball and boasts the 5* skills needed to make it completely unpredictable.

The jump up to his 94 prime will be very exciting indeed.

7. Patrick Vieira

As far as defensive midfielders go, you'll do very well to find anyone with the same kind of impact as Patrick Vieira.

The 86 base is very nice, but the pace and dribbling boosts to the 88 mid are undeniably worth the extra coins. They help his 6'4 frame breeze across the pitch effortlessly.

High defending and immense physicality are to be expected from Vieira cards, which have been incredibly popular for a good few years now.

6. Johan Cruyff

He ships as a CF, but move Johan Cruyff back to the CAM spot and you'll have a very fun time.

The Dutch legend has unreal stats all across the park. 93 dribbling is the highlight, but 91 pace, 89 shooting and 88 passing on his 91 mid card are all such good fun to take advantage of.

You can even play him as a LF or RF without noticing too much of a dip in his performance. He's just that good.

5. Diego Maradona

95 dribbling on Diego Maradona's 95-rated mid is pretty much unstoppable. If he wants to beat his defender, he's going to. Case closed.

When you get to those spaces, it's up to you to decide your next move. Do you want to take advantage of his 91 shooting, 90 passing or 5* skills?

His prime sits at 97 overall, and honestly, it's ridiculous. Built for HyperMotion technology, you could say.

4. Eusebio

Eusebio's card defies the numbers on the front of it. His base is just 89 overall, but it plays like it's 99+.

95 pace, 91 dribbling, 90 shooting, 5* weak foot and 4* skills speak for themselves. They're unreal stats, rivalling cards with significantly higher overalls.

His 91 overall mid card gets the passing boost and gets a little bump to the shooting, but with a minor drop in pace. It's up to you to decide which fits your playstyle.

3. Pele

Pele is Pele. Of course he's one of the best icons on the game.

He's the highest-rated card going, with his mid sitting at 95 and his prime 98 when it comes out, and he feels every bit like that good of a player.

With 96 pace, 95 dribbling, 93 shooting and 90 passing, it'll take a while before any card betters Pele's stats.

2. Ruud Gullit

If you're looking for the best midfielder in the game, your answer is Ruud Gullit.

The original member of the Gullit Gang, the skyscraper midfielder has over 80 in every stat, with three 88s and two 87s. Then factor in his 5* weak foot and 4* skills. It's almost not fair.

One of few players you could play literally anywhere.

1. Ronaldo

The best player on the game, bar none. R9 is absolutely next level.

His 90 base card is already elite, but his 94 mid is astonishing. Ronaldo scores goals effortlessly and dominates both in the air and on the ground - making him a HyperMotion technology dream.

When the 96 prime gets released, he'll break the game.

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