Lionel Messi falls below Harry Kane & Mohamed Salah on EA Sports FC 25 as Inter Miami superstar is hit with worst rating in 16 years

The latest instalment of EA Sports FC is due to be released later this month and will be eagerly-anticipated by fans around the globe. Lionel Messi is obviously a popular pick but has received a downgrade for the latest edition of the popular video game. Inter Miami's superstar has seen his rating drop below the 90 mark for the first time since 2008 and now stands at 88. The moves means that a host of players, including Kane and Salah, have a higher rating that the Argentine great.

Messi's rating reflects his gradual decline as he heads towards the end of his career. The World Cup winner turned 37 in June and has hinted current club Inter Miami will be his last before he finally hangs up his boots. Messi, who won the Ballon d'Or last year, has also been left off the shortlist for the prestigious award this year and will not be lifting the famous Golden Ball for a ninth time in 2024.

Messi now has the same rating as players including Manchester City star Phil Foden, former Barcelona team-mate Antoine Griezmann and veteran striker Robert Lewandowski. The highest-ranked players in the game are Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City duo Rodri and Erling Haaland with a rating of 91.

Messi is currently sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in the final of the 2024 Copa America. However, the Inter Miami captain is closing in on comeback and is expected to be involved in the team's next game against the Philadelphia Union on September 14.