Highest-rated FIFA players in history from FIFA 2000 to FIFA 22

But while the football world continues to struggle to find an answer, the team at EA Sports' FIFA franchise have ruled that the Argentina international is the highest-rated FIFA player an incredible nine times since the turn of the century.

In the latest instalment of the FIFA series, Messi has come out on top having secured the highest-rated player title of a spectacular 93 in FIFA 22 - better luck next time CR7.

talkSPORT EDGE takes a trip down memory lane to look at who the best FIFA players were in every FIFA since 2000.

Ronaldo - 97 (FIFA 2000)

Widely regarded as the best striker in the world, Ronaldo ranked a whopping 97 out of 99 in the '00 installment.

The Brazilian was flying high at Inter Milan at the time of the release and had finished the Serie A that season with 25 goals and was named Serie A Footballer of the Year.

Rivaldo - 96 (FIFA 2001)

After soaring through the ranks at Barcelona, Rivaldo became the number one player in FIFA 2001, maintaining an incredible 96 rating.

The attacking midfielder was the second highest scorer in La Liga at the time with 23 goals.

Luis Figo - 97 (FIFA 2002)

After an impressive debut season with Real Madrid, winning the La Liga title, scoring 14 goals in all competitions and receiving the 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year, Luis Figo increased by three ratings in FIFA 2002.

Matteo Brighi - 97 (FIFA 2003)

Juventus' promising youngster, Matteo Brighi topped the list with a 97 rating that year.

Although Brighi was number one in the FIFA 2003, he unfortunately never fulfilled his potential at the Italian club due to various injuries.

Brazilian Ronaldo made it to the top once again with a remarkable 98 rating in the 04 game but this time at Real Madrid.

Thierry Henry - 97 (FIFA 2005)

Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry took the number one spot with a 97 rating after proving his worth at the Emirates.

Before the FIFA 2005 was released,Henry had set a new record for the most assists in a single Premier League season (20 assists). The French man also became the first player in history to record at least 20 goals and 20 assists in a single season.

Ronaldinho - 95 (FIFA 2006)

This really doesn't need any explaining right? Ronaldinho was flying high at Barcelona at the time of the FIFA 2006 release.

The attacking midfielder had started to accumulate a host os personal awards including FIFPro World Player of the year and the FIFA World Players of the Year for the second consecutive year.

No wonder why the Brazilian secured a 95 rating!

Wayne Rooney - 92 (FIFA 2007)

The former Manchester United ace was the highest-rated player in the 07 series, rated 92 at just 20 years old - achievement!

Ronaldinho - 91 (FIFA 2008)

Ronaldihno topped the charts yet again with a 91 rating as he continued to soar at Spanish side Barcelona in 2007.

Cristiano Ronaldo & Iker Casillas - 91 (FIFA 2009)

And so it begins, the era of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

However the Portuguese international couldn't quite make the number one spot as Iker Casillas was equally as dominant at Real Madrid.

Lionel Messi & Iker Casillas - 90 (FIFA 2010)

Although Cristiano Ronaldo made a record-breaking transfer to Real Madrid, he dropped out of the top three in FIFA 10 which made room for rival Lionel Messi and teammate Casillas to lead the way with an overall 90 rating.

Lionel Messi - 90 (FIFA 2011)

The era of Messi taking over FIFA begins.

The Barcelona legend became the outright highest-rated player for the first time in history.

Lionel Messi - 94 (FIFA 2012)

Surprise, surprise Messi is at the top once again with a 94 rating as he thrived at Barcelona that year as he was widely considered one of the best footballers in history, alongside players like Diego Maradona and Pele.

Lionel Messi - 94 (FIFA 2013)

At this point Messi was breaking all sorts of records, including becoming the top goalscorer in Barcelona's history at 24 years old, overtaking the 57-year record of Cesar Rodriguez's 232 goals with a hat-trick against Granada.

Lionel Messi - 94 (FIFA 2014)

Messi does it again, wipes the floor with another 94 rating in the 2014 game.

Lionel Messi - 93 (FIFA 2015)

In FIFA 15, Messi was handed his first downgrade in the FIFA installments as the gap between the Argentine and Ronaldo slimmed to just one rating.

Lionel Messi - 94 (FIFA 2016)

After the incredible season which saw Barcelona win the Champions League, La Liga and Copa Del Rey, Messi was increased back to 94 rated.

Cristiano Ronaldo - 94 (FIFA 2017)

Finally! Cristiano Ronaldo overtook Messi and was crowned the highest-rated player for the first time.

Cristiano Ronaldo - 94 (FIFA 2018)

Ronaldo remained at the top of the list in 2018 with a 94 rating.

Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo - 94 (FIFA 2019)

Another FIFA, another big transfer. This time, Ronaldo put an end to his nine-year spell at Real Madrid and moved to Juventus but Messi joined Ronaldo at the top with both securing a 94 rating.

Lionel Messi - 94 (FIFA 2020)

FIFA 20 saw Messi shoot back at the top with a 94 rating, the first time since FIFA 16.

Lionel Messi - 93 (FIFA 2021)

Although Messi was still Barcelona's number one, his rating decreased by one point to 93.

Lionel Messi - 93 (FIFA 2022)

The summer building up to FIFA 22 saw Messi move to PSG and Ronaldo move to Manchester United, however once again the Argentine took the number one spot with a 93 rating and CR7 was not even included in the top three - ouch.