Every year a database is compiled of the best young players to sign when playing a career mode on the FIFA computer game.
Such is the level of research and dedication that is put into this aspect of gameplay that there is genuine interest in the players deemed destined for stardom by the game’s developers.
While most of these players go on to almost certain mediocrity, there are always a few who make the grade.
Here are five players from last year’s installment of FIFA who have secured big money moves this summer:
Already highly rated on FIFA 18, the Brazilian wide man was never cheap but was guaranteed to become a world class player. Low wages meant if you were in the top flight of one of Europe’s big leagues he was a sound investment.
Having spent the past two season impressing in Ligue 1 with Bordeaux, the 21-year-old has just signed for Barcelona for a cool €41M although he was reported to have signed for Roma before the Catalan giants gazumped them at the last minute.
Bordeaux will not be complaining having paid Corinthians (who have pocketed a further €2.5M thanks to a sell on clause) a meagre €5M for the teenager in January 2016.
With the likes of Leo Messi, Paco Alacer, Ousmane Dembele, Denis Surez and Philippe Coutinho for competition, Malcom will have to do a lot to command a starting place, but the level of investment shows just how much one of the biggest clubs in world football rates his talent.
Everybody loves a free transfer on FIFA and the pacey South African forward was always a hit.
With the potential to go on to be one of the best strikers on the game, Tau would quickly progress from an average rating of 68 to the early 90s within three seasons meaning he would regularly score a hatful of goals in the lower tiers before being able to sell him for a small fortune.
The Mamelodi Sundowns striker has just made a surprising move to Premier League side Brighton for a reported fee of around £3M.
The 24-year-old will, however, be heading straight out on loan as due to South Africa being so down FIFA’s international rankings he is, with only 12 caps, not eligible for a work permit. It is hoped that this will be resolved in his loan spell elsewhere in Europe.
Brighton clearly see him as a shrewd investment and it will be interesting to see where he ends up playing next year.
Alphonso Davies
Pace is everything on FIFA and nobody comes quicker than Canada’s Alphonso Davies.
The 17-year-old winger has recently signed for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich from the Vancouver Whitecaps for an MLS record $22M (including bonuses) but will remain with the Canadian outfit for the remainder of the season.
Then 16, Davies could be bought for around £4M and his electric pace would see him blossom into a world-class talent very quickly. By the age of 20 he could easily be considered the best player on the game.
With three goals in six appearances for Canada, the man born in Ghana to Liberian parents (who moved to Canada as refugees fleeing conflict in their homeland) is certainly set for stardom.
But when he arrives at Bayern the pressure will surely be on and it is a huge jump for one so young. The world will be watching on in anticipation as Bayern look to younger legs to replace the ageing Ribery and Robben.
Lautaro Martinez
Strikers win games and when looking for the next Sergio Aguero shrewd FIFA players headed back to Kun’s homeland to find his protégé.
Step forward Racing Club’s Lautaro Martinez, a lethal striker built in an almost identical mould to the Manchester City ace.
Easily picked up for under £10M he was always a sound buy and within a season he progresses to the mid-80s before fats becoming one of the best around.
Having netted 22 times in 48 games for the Avellaneda outfit since he burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old he has already made his international debut and has recently signed for Inter Milan for a fee believed to be around £20M.
Expectations will be high and Serie A is no easy place to prove yourself but Inter will be hoping they have signed another Argentinian great of the future.
A good keeper is a must have on FIFA and should you have opted for the giant young Frenchman you would have your number one for the next decade and beyond.
Athletic and commanding, Lafont would quickly progress to become one of the greats of the game and could e picked up for as little as £7M.
Still only 19, Lafont has already made 100 appearances between the sticks for Ligue 1 side Toulouse before moving to Serie A side Fiorentina this summer for around €7M.
A regular at all levels of the French national academy sides, Lafont, who became the youngest goalkeeper ever to play in Ligue 1 at just 16, will be looking to cement his place as the Viola’s number one over the next few seasons.
