Marco van Basten rating refresh
I would like to provide feedback regarding the ratings and in-game representation of some Dutch Icons, particularly Marco van Basten and Johan Cruyff.
Marco van Basten being rated only 91 does not accurately reflect his historical status in football. By the age of 28, when injuries had effectively ended his playing career, Van Basten had already won three Ballon d’Or awards. He was a European champion with the Netherlands, won the European Cup twice with AC Milan and was one of the defining players of one of the greatest club teams in football history.
My main issue is not only his overall rating, but also his in-game representation. Van Basten is often portrayed in FC as a relatively slow and stiff traditional target striker. That does not represent the player he actually was. He was exceptionally technical for his size, elegant on the ball, intelligent in his movement, outstanding in the air and capable of scoring with both feet and from extremely difficult positions.
When Icons such as Ronaldo Nazário, Zidane, Ronaldinho and Maldini receive significantly higher ratings, while Van Basten sits at 91, the difference seems difficult to justify based on their historical standing. Zlatan Ibrahimović being rated higher than Van Basten is particularly surprising. Zlatan had an extraordinary career and remarkable longevity, but Van Basten reached a level of individual recognition and success that included three Ballon d’Or awards despite having his career cut extremely short by injury.
I also believe Johan Cruyff deserves reconsideration. Cruyff was not only one of the greatest players ever, but one of the most influential figures in the history of football. A noticeable rating gap between Cruyff and the very highest-rated legends such as Pelé and Maradona does not properly represent how highly Cruyff is regarded historically.
This is not about making Dutch Icons overpowered simply because they are Dutch. It is about representing football history accurately.
I would suggest:
- Marco van Basten: approximately 93–94 OVR, with significantly improved agility, ball control, dribbling, finishing, positioning and appropriate PlayStyles to represent his technical ability.
- Johan Cruyff: approximately 95 OVR and placed in the same highest historical tier as Pelé and Maradona.
Most importantly, Icons should feel like the players they represent. Younger FC players who never watched Van Basten should be able to use his Icon card and understand why he won three Ballon d’Or awards before injuries ended his career.
Marco van Basten should feel like one of the greatest strikers football has ever seen — because that is exactly what he was.
