It may sound bizarre but yes, this is only Neymar's first time in the FIFA franchise's top 50. Despite scoring goals for fun during his playing days in Brazil - banging in 136 for Santos - the prolific South American was overlooked in '14 a year ago. But not anymore, because its sequel sees him climb up to 30th place alongside the likes of Edinson Cavani and Mesut Ozil. There are many out there clamouring for Neymar to be rated even higher than that off the back of his recent performances for club and country but the fact he is finally in the top 50 at least rectifies EA's mad decision 12 months ago to snub him entirely. The 22-year-old scored 15 goals in all competitions for Barca last season and was also the third-highest goalscorer at the World Cup. Averaging a goal every 114 minutes at this summer's finals, Neymar was one of the stars of the tournament and netted four times for his country. Injury in the quarter-finals ended his involvement in the competition and had he stayed fit he would surely have added more to that tally and may even have won the Golden Boot. And though his score could have been higher, fans will be relieved to see his reputation as one of the best players in the world reflected by the FIFA ratings.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
