FIFA 15: 10 Great Players Who've Already Been Downgraded

2. Xavi - FIFA 14: 88, FIFA 15: 86

The common theme of this list seems to be a run-down of the Iberian peninsula, such is the plethora of Spanish mentions. How could blame the EA Sports creators for having lost such faith in their tiki-taka style having seen Vincent del Bosque's side ruthlessly ripped apart in humiliating fashion at the World Cup in June? In Xavi, however, we witness the demotion of the lynchpin, the fulcrum, the emblem of the fluid and sultry style that the world has come to love over the years. For the last decade, Xavi has been one of the finest 'trequartistas' in world football, an exponent of effortless passing, hawk-eye vision and elusive movement. A product of the heralded La Masia academy in Catalonia, Xavi was an integral architect in Barcelona's glorious era between the years of 2006 and 2011. It's a shame that the world is now privy to the master being exposed on a number of occasions, his ageing legs failing to keep up with the rhythm of modern day football. Pinpointed as a chink in the Catalan armour last season, and ruthlessly exposed at the 2014 World Cup, the writing was on the wall for Spanish legend. An international retirement quickly followed, as rumours surrounded his future at the club, with talk of a mooted move to the MLS. It's a shame that Xavi is slowly spending his force, his powers draining from him in slow-motion, but at 34 years of age, it was inevitable.