The saying "Old is Gold" applies to many veteran football players, who continue to dominate their respective positions even as they get older. They have essentially become role models for many, and their efforts in the game continue to inspire.
In FIFA 23 Career Mode, you can add those highly experienced players to your team to give the squad the necessary experience. Furthermore, they are also less costly than youngsters due to their age, so you wouldn't have to spend much money from your budget to acquire them. The list below outlines the top old players you can consider signing within the Career Mode.
The ratings below are as of FIFA 23's latest squad updates.
10 Leonardo Bonucci, Juventus
Leonardo Bonucci is one of the best defenders of the modern generation, and he is still going strong at Juventus. The Italian has won the league a staggering nine times and has had a pretty decorated career.
Signing him might be a smart move, and he will undoubtedly be a big help to you in the first season of the FIFA 23 Career Mode, and he might also make for a good backup option in the second. He has an 82 rating, so he will strengthen the defense and ensure your team does not allow many goals.
9 Sergio Ramos, Paris Saint-Germain
Sergio Ramos, a Real Madrid legend, is regarded to be among the greatest Centre Backs in football history. After enjoying success at Los Blancos, you will now find him playing for Paris Saint-Germain alongside potential future star Kylian Mbappe and possibly the greatest player of all time Lionel Messi.
Having an icon like Sergio Ramos on your team in Career Mode will undoubtedly be a wise investment, and the Spaniard will be a rock at the back. He is rated 84, and you can get him for a reasonable €8-9 million.
8 Edin Džeko, Inter Milan
Edin Džeko stands out as one of the most underrated strikers and is someone who isn't talked about all that much. The Bosnian is still pulling out great numbers for Inter Milan, and you can think about buying him if you want a solid player up front for your club.
With a rating of 84, he will indeed have a good number of goals, given that he is provided decent support. Additionally, he has a 5-star weak foot, so you wouldn't have to struggle, and he'll score pretty well with both feet.
7 Hugo Lloris, Tottenham Hotspur
Another outstanding veteran player who will be a great addition to your team in FIFA 23's Career Mode is Hugo Lloris. The 2018 World Cup winner is the captain of the Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur and has been relatively successful in defending their goal and keeping them in the Top 6 year after year.
Considering how costly it can be to find good goalkeepers, you can keep him in mind as one of the budget-friendly options. He boasts an 85 rating and will be above 80 for at least a few seasons.
6 Thiago Silva, Chelsea
Thiago Silva was a key factor in Chelsea's success in the UEFA Champions League 2021, and he has consistently been their best defender since joining the club. The Brazilian is rated 86 in FIFA 23, and he will guard and organize your team's backline very well in case you buy him.
However, it would help if you kept in mind that Thiago Silva isn't as pacey as he used to be, which is why you will pair him with a fast partner. Apart from the speed, there aren't any other downsides to employing him.
5 Luka Modrić, Real Madrid
Luka Modrić is getting even better with age, and the Croatian Midfielder led his country to the Semi-Finals of the World Cup 2022. Besides that, he also played an essential role in helping Real Madrid win the UCL in 2022.
An 88-rated midfielder like Modrić will undoubtedly generate many opportunities for your team, and his creativity will be very helpful for moving ahead on the pitch. Moreover, his contract will expire in a season following the start of Career Mode, giving you an incredible opportunity to acquire him for completely free.
4 Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich
As the shot-stopper for Bayern Munich and arguably one of the most recognizable figures in German football, Manuel Neuer has been keeping goals safe for many seasons. Over the years, he has made a name for himself and has been in the debate for the best Goalkeepers.
Manuel Neuer is essentially rated 89 in the game and wouldn't break the bank, making him one of the most sensible purchases for the specific role. Consequently, acquiring him from the Bundesliga club in FIFA 23's Career Mode could be an ideal buy that you can consider for your team.
3 Karim Benzema, Real Madrid
Karim Benzema has been a consistent performer for Real Madrid, and his outstanding play during the 2021-2022 season earned him the prestigious Ballon d'Or award. With him being one of the best Strikers of his generation, there is no doubt that deciding to purchase him in FIFA 23 Career Mode will be a lot of fun.
Despite being slower than other attackers, the 91-rated Centre Forward will be a threat in front of goal due to his incredible shooting statistics. He also has excellent dribbling and passing skills, which will help your team create numerous opportunities.
2 Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr
There is no need to introduce Cristiano Ronaldo, and he is one of the GOATs to have graced the beautiful game of football. Although the last few years haven't completely gone in his favor, the Portuguese forward has impressed everyone with his stellar performances.
You can get him in FIFA 23 from Al Nassr and attempt to effectively resurrect his career in the European leagues while giving the legend a successful conclusion to his illustrious career. Since he has a rating of 87, he will certainly be excellent for a few seasons.
1 Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain
Lionel Messi, like Cristiano Ronaldo, is among the greatest football players to have set foot on a football field. This is evident from his accomplishments, stats, and, most importantly, his actual performance on the pitch. You will surely love using the magical Argentinian in FIFA 23, and his dribbling, as well as shooting, will feel flawless.
Nonetheless, getting Messi could be costly as the forward being 91 rated would require you to shell millions on him. Anyway, the price tag wouldn't eventually matter as he is arguably the finest old player you will find in the Career Mode.