FIFA 21 best teams to play as, from Liverpool to Bayern Munich

(Image credit: EA)

There was little doubt that FC Bayern would top the FIFA 21 best teams list after a season in which they decimated all comers en route to winning the Champions League - nor that English champions Liverpool would be in the top three. (Even if Real Madrid pip them to second place.) But who else makes up the FIFA 21 elite? Three additional Premier League clubs join Jurgen Klopp's side, there are two further Spanish teams, and… hey, let's not spoil the entire list in the intro paragraph. Instead, read on for profiles of the top ten FIFA 21 best teams.

Bayern Munich: 259

Attack: 93
Midfield: 85
Defence: 81

It’s hardly a surprise to see the all-conquering European champions rule the roost on FIFA this year. It’s even less surprising when you check out some of the individual stats of those in the squad: Lewandowski is the best forward in the game and is flanked by two pacy wingers in Serge Gnabry (85) and new signing Leroy Sane (85).

Couple that with a formidable centre core of Goretzka (84) and Kimmich (88) and it’s hard to find many, if any, faults within the best team in FIFA 21. Deadline day signings Douglas Costa and Choupo-Moting also add some much-needed depth to the squad.

Real Madrid: 257

Attack: 85
Midfield: 86
Defence: 86

Zinedine Zidane’s first season without winning a European trophy as Real Madrid manager sees Los Blancos take a slight dip in overall rating compared to last year – but they’re still the best all-round team in FIFA 21, with no average rating dropping below 85.

That quality, inevitably, can be seen all over the pitch. Benzema may be 89-rated but, with an expected bump in ability if you use FIFA 21’s ‘Live Form’ option to reflect real-life form, his ceiling is even higher.

If you do play as Real Madrid, however, don’t forget Real Madrid’s forgotten man, Eden Hazard. The Belgian winger may have struggled in the first year at the Bernabeu but his 88 rating and four-star skill moves and weak foot ability make him a better pick on either flank compared to Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo.

Liverpool: 255

Attack: 89
Midfield: 82
Defence: 84

The near-Invincibles are, rightly, the best Premier League team in FIFA 21 – though you might need to tweak personnel and formation to get the best out of them on the virtual pitch.

First up, a slight tweak away from the 4-3-3 False 9 formation to a more conventional 4-3-3 will work wonders, even if the former does reflect Liverpool’s real-world set-up. Then, pair Thiago up with Wijnaldum, with Fabinho sitting deeper. Jordan Henderson will have to settle for a place on the bench. Salah and Mane are essentially undroppable and are among the main reasons for Liverpool’s 89 attack rating, though Jota is also a solid option.

Manchester City: 254

Attack: 86
Midfield: 82
Defence: 82

Perhaps Pep Guardiola’s most underwhelming season in charge of the Etihad has led to Manchester City taking a hit in terms of FIFA ratings.

Aguero may have been injured during the post-lockdown games, though he has to start here. Consider switching up to a 4-2-2-2 with Rodri and Fernandinho sitting deep. After all, the attack is one of the best in the game and has the potential to carve teams open at will.

Speaking of potential, Phil Foden isn't quite be the finished product in FIFA 21. His 79 rating doesn’t endear himself to many starts. Ferran Torres or Bernardo Silva are far better options in the short-term, unless you’re playing on career mode.

Barcelona: 252

Attack: 84
Midfield: 85
Defence: 83

We’d 8-2 be a Barcelona fan after last season’s Champions League thrashing at the hands of eventual winners Bayern Munich. Still, FIFA’s version of Barcelona is far from a spent force, even with tensions bubbling up behind the scenes with Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou.

Barca’s one-time conqueror Phillipe Coutinho is back in the red-and-blue kit of the Catalans and is a worthwhile option both in a Number 10 role or wide on the left. Pjanic and Dembele – who opted to stay put in the summer transfer window – also add a much-needed extra dimension to a team that often puts the game on Messi’s shoulders.

It’s a shame that his potential successor, Ansu Fati, doesn’t have a rating his ability and current form so richly deserves. The mid-70s is far too low for a teenager that looks to have the world at his feet.

Chelsea: 250

Attack: 85
Midfield: 83
Defence: 82

Chelsea’s summer spending spree has rightly seen them return as one of the FIFA 21 best teams. Timo Werner and Kai Havertz should dominate in a 4-2-3-1, though Chelsea’s lack of out and out quality wingers (Hudson-Odoi continues FIFA’s strange tendency to underrate younger players) may lead you to getting creative with the formations.

Between the sticks, Kepa is a perfectly fine option (82) and should get the nod ahead of Mendy (79). Thiago Silva, meanwhile, should be first-choice centre back alongside either Azpilicueta or Kurt Zouma.

Paris St Germain: 249

Attack: 87
Midfield: 83
Defence: 79

One of the best attacking forces in the game can’t make up for the French capital team’s frailties at the back.

Mbappe, Di Maria, and Neymar excel in a 4-3-3 with Verratti, Gueye and one of Draxler (82), Paredes (79), or Pereira (82) in a flat 3 – depending on how attack-mind you’re feeling. The defence may have Kimpembe and Marquinhos but is let down badly by a real lack of a quality left-back. You could just about get away with putting Bernat or Diallo – a left-footed centre back – there but it’s likely to be a weak link.

Borussia Dortmund: 249

Attack: 86
Midfield: 81
Defence: 82

Once more, Borussia Dortmund are among not only the best teams in FIFA 21 but one of the most fun to play with. Their abundance of attacking riches is extensive: Haaland, Sancho, Reus, Hazard, Reyna, and Brandt can operate almost anywhere across the front line, with Guerreiro being one of the best left-backs in the game if you want to play with wing backs and really take it to your opponent.

Things are slightly less inspiring – and less steely – in the centre of midfield. But winning 5-4 is always better than winning 1-0, right?

Atletico Madrid: 248

Attack: 83
Midfield: 82
Defence: 83

Atletico Madrid have always had a bit of bite. Add Luiz Suarez into the mix and you’ve got a team that will have an even more combative strikeforce than before, a scary thought when considering Diego Costa is part of their line-up.

What the team lacks in pace (with Lemar and Carrasco one of a few rapid players who excel on the counter attack), it more than makes up for in physical ability – a must-have attribute this year with FIFA 21’s heading being far more potent than in previous years.

Piemonte Calcio (Juventus): 248

Attack: 87
Midfield: 78
Defence: 83

As expected, Cristiano Ronaldo is doing all the heavy lifting in a team weighted towards all-out attack under new manager Andrea Pirlo. Chiesa (78) is an interesting addition at centre-forward, though you’re likely to lean on Ronaldo and Dybala. Behind that, things are relatively uninspiring, with Arthur (84) and Khedira (81) your main options in midfield. Buffon is still clinging on in there, too, though his rating (82) still outranks his age (42) – for now.