The best Career Mode teams in FIFA 23 offer players not only a solid starting lineup but also the transfer funds necessary to improve it.
For a considerable amount of time, Football Manager was the go-to game series for those seeking to lead their favorite teams to victory. It would be difficult to argue that EA’s FIFA franchise hasn’t made significant strides in recent years, and the career mode in the most recent installment of the series, FIFA 23, sets a new benchmark.
The career mode of FIFA 23 grants players control over even the most minute details, allowing them to leave their mark on the club they choose to manage. Whether they’re looking to spend their way to success or build a team of young, talented players, selecting the best team in FIFA 23’s career mode can be crucial. With this in mind, players should deliberate carefully before making a choice.
For those who’d prefer a larger transfer budget, FIFA 23’s financial takeover option allows players to add anywhere from £10m to £1b into their club’s coffers when they first pick a team.
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Manchester City
- Starting Transfer Budget: £233,750,920
Club Worth: £3,486,394,000 - Best Players: Kevin De Bruyne (91), Ederson (89) & Erling Haaland (88)
When Sheikh Mansour purchased Manchester City in 2008, few could have predicted the club’s subsequent success. During the early years of the Sheikh’s tenure, buying titles appeared to be the strategy, but the majority of the team’s success on the field since then can be attributed to the careful planning of those off the field rather than the club’s lavish spending.
However, this does not mean that the club does not continue to spend lavishly, as evidenced by their massive transfer budget at the beginning of FIFA 23, which is once again the highest in the Premier League. In contrast to many of their rivals, the club spends relatively wisely these days and as a result has arguably the best squad in world football. This, however, means that expectations are sky-high at the Etihad, so players who choose City must produce results.
PSG
Starting Transfer Budget: £192,178,456
Club Worth: $2,580 Million
Kylian Mbappé (91), Lionel Messi (91), and Neymar Jr. are the best players (89)
PSG is not a place where one can find relief from the pressure. What they will discover, however, is one of the most star-studded teams in world football and a front three comprised of three of the four highest-paid football players in the world. Mbappé, Messi, and Neymar are also arguably worth every penny, as they are capable of tearing apart even the most formidable defenses when they are all in top form.
Given how much stronger PSG are than the rest of Ligue 1’s teams, players should not be overly concerned with securing domestic success, allowing them to instead concentrate on Europe. After retaining Mbappe during preseason, the club’s owners have arguably never had a better chance to win their first Champions League trophy. Players may need to improve the club’s midfield slightly, but they will have ample funds to do so.
Barcelona
- Initial Transfers is £139,656,264.
- Club Value: £3,655 Billion
Best Players: Robert Lewandowski (91), Marc-André ter Stegen (88) & Frenkie de Jong (87)
After more than a decade of dominance, Barcelona’s recent performance on and off the field has been less than stellar. They finished third in La Liga a year ago, just two points ahead of Sevilla, and are currently experiencing what can only be described as a major financial crisis. Of course, one might not realize this based on the club’s recent spending habits, as Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, and Raphina have all been acquired for approximately €150 million.
This mini-spending spree has completely revitalized Barcelona’s squad, making them one of the best teams to select in the career mode of FIFA 23. The club also has three of the brightest youth prospects in world football in Fati, Pedri, and Gavi, making them an excellent choice for those seeking to assemble a team of young players with great potential. Despite their financial difficulties in the real world, they have a relatively large transfer budget available from the outset. Those who select Real Madrid will have approximately £50 million more at their disposal, but they will also inherit a squad that is rapidly approaching a potentially turbulent transition period.
Juventus
- Starting Transfer Budget: £148,867,944
- Club Value: $1,987,000,000
Best Players: Wojciech Szczesny (86), Paul Pogba (85) & Ángel Di Maria (84)
It’s been quite some time since Serie A has been as competitive as it is now, so those seeking a greater challenge may want to consider a job in Italy. Milan, Roma, Inter, and Juventus all find themselves outside of the top four after matchday seven, with Juventus languishing in eighth place. Atalanta is a great option for those seeking a pre-made squad with decent potential, but those seeking to construct their own squad should probably choose Juventus.
Despite their poor performance over the past few seasons, Juventus is still one of the best teams in Serie A and one of the biggest in the world. Vlahovi and Chiesa have the potential to become world-class players in the near future, whereas Angel Di Maria and Paul Pogba are ready-made quality. There are numerous bench players who can be sold to add a bit more cash to the club’s coffers, though they may not need it as Juventus enters the game with the highest transfer budget in the league.
FIFA 23 is accessible on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms.