Football Manager 2024 is here, with an all-new rating database for fans of the popular game to get their hands on.
As ever, Football Manager is the go-to place for football fans to build a club in their image, signing young talents and watching them develop into world-beaters.
Starting with clubs such as Real Madrid or Manchester City will give you a huge budget in FM24, although most fans of the game prefer starting with a smaller club and helping them rise up the divisions to glory.
READ MORE: Football Manager 2024 wonderkids – The best young goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards
However, while many players will choose to start from the bottom of the managerial ladder, others prefer taking charge of a top team from the beginning.
Building a team of global superstars can be equally exciting, and FootballTransfers have listed the best players in Football Manager 2024.
Just be wary, they will cost a fortune!
READ MORE: EA Sports FC 24 player ratings: Top 100 players on the game
Football Manager 2024: Best goalkeepers
Real Madrid shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois is the highest-rated goalkeeper in Football Manager 2024 (91), narrowly ahead of Manchester City’s Ederson (90).
Alisson (Liverpool) is rated 88 in this year’s game – the same as Barcelona ‘keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid fame is rated 86, ahead of Manuel Neuer (81), Mike Maignan (81) and Gianluigi Donnarumma (80).
Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez and Arsenal loanee David Raya (both 78) round out the top 10 highest-rated goalkeepers on Football Manager 2024.
| Player | Club | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Thibaut Courtois | Real Madrid | 91 |
| 2. Ederson | Man City | 90 |
| 3. Alisson | Liverpool | 88 |
| = Marc-Andre ter Stegen | Barcelona | 88 |
| 5. Jan Oblak | Atletico Madrid | 86 |
| 6. Manuel Neuer | Bayern | 81 |
| = Mike Maignan | Milan | 81 |
| 8. Gianluigi Donnarumma | PSG | 80 |
| 9. Emiliano Martinez | Aston Villa | 78 |
| = David Raya | Arsenal | 78 |
Football Manager 2024: Best defenders
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) is the top-rated defender in this year’s Football Manager. The Dutchman has been handed an 89 rating, which edges out Manchester City’s Ruben Dias (87).
Barcelona star Ronald Araujo is the third highest-rated defender on Football Manager 2024, with an 85 rating.
Eder Militao and John Stones are both 83 rated, while William Saliba (Arsenal), Marquinhos (PSG), David Alaba (Real Madrid), Kyle Walker (Man City) and Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid) are all 82 rated. They round out the top 10.
| Player | Club | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool | 89 |
| 2. Ruben Dias | Man City | 87 |
| 3. Ronald Araujo | Barcelona | 85 |
| 4. Eder Militao | Real Madrid | 83 |
| = John Stones | Man City | 83 |
| 6. William Saliba | Arsenal | 82 |
| = Marquinhos | PSG | 82 |
| = David Alaba | Real Madrid | 82 |
| = Kyle Walker | Man City | 82 |
| = Antonio Rudiger | Real Madrid | 82 |
Football Manager 2024: Best midfielders
Man City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne tops the standings in the 2024 edition of Football Manager thanks to his 95 rating. He is not only the top-rated midfielder, but he is the best player in the entire game upon launch.
His club team-mates Bernardo Silva and Rodri are both 89 rated and are second and third on the list.
Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich (88) is fourth, ahead of Luka Modric and Martin Odegaard (both 87).
Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) and Declan Rice (Arsenal) have been given an 86 rating, while Real Madrid pair Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde are 84 rated.
| Player | Club | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kevin de Bruyne | Man City | 95 |
| 2. Bernardo Silva | Man City | 89 |
| = Rodri | Man City | 89 |
| 4. Joshua Kimmich | Bayern | 88 |
| 5. Luka Modric | Real Madrid | 87 |
| = Martin Odegaard | Arsenal | 87 |
| 7. Bruno Fernandes | Man Utd | 86 |
| = Declan Rice | Arsenal | 86 |
| 9. Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid | 84 |
| = Federico Valverde | Real Madrid | 84 |
Football Manager 2024: Best forwards
Erling Haaland (Man City) and Kylian Mbappe (PSG) are tied for the honour of being the highest-rated forward on Football Manager 2024. Both players are 94 rated on the new game.
Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi is third on the list due to his 93 rating, which is higher than Harry Kane (92), Robert Lewandowski (91) and Vinicius Jr (91).
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) is seventh after receiving an initial rating of 90, which is higher than Neymar (88), Bukayo Saka (87) and Lautaro Martinez (86).
| Player | Club | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Erling Haaland | Man City | 94 |
| = Kylian Mbappe | PSG | 94 |
| 3. Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | 93 |
| 4. Harry Kane | Bayern | 92 |
| 5. Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona | 91 |
| = Vinicius Junior | Real Madrid | 91 |
| 7. Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | 90 |
| 8. Neymar | Al-Hilal | 88 |
| 9. Bukayo Saka | Arsenal | 87 |
| 10. Lautaro Martinez | Inter | 86 |
