The latest Ultimate Team of the Year (UTOTY) has just dropped as part of the TOTY event in FIFA Mobile 23. The line-up is stacked with eleven of the best performers in world football for each position over the past year. Each of the eleven UTOTY cards raises the ceiling in FIFA Mobile to a level we have not seen before. With astonishingly high stats and equally high market prices, these UTOTY cards are the best of the best.
Everyone that has played this FIFA Mobile 23 TOTY event can have the chance at obtaining one of these shiny UTOTY cards, without spending a single penny. In the past, players would usually have to dish out some cash for micro-transactions before even having a chance at claiming a UTOTY card from the TOTY events. However, this season, the opportunity is kept open for everyone, which is quite nice to see.
In this article, we have reviewed each UTOTY card, analyzing its strengths and weaknesses, as well as its optimal playstyles for VSA and H2H. Additionally, we will also take a look back over their key moments and achievements over the past year, and why they deserve to be named among the best footballers on the planet.
FIFA Mobile 23 UTOTY Defenders
Thibaut Courtois (GK)
- Overall: 111
- Skill Boost: Reflexes
Overview
Courtois had a standout year in 2022, playing a crucial role in Real Madrid‘s victories in both the UEFA Champions League and the La Liga title. Courtois had consistent performances at the highest level throughout the year, with the most notable being in the UCL final where he was awarded Man of the Match. In fact, he made a record-breaking nine saves that game, effectively carrying his team to a 14th UCL title win. His exceptional achievements in 2022 earned him the Yashin Trophy, officially ranking him as the best goalkeeper on the planet.
VSA and H2H Gameplay
Goalkeepers in FIFA Mobile are often tricky to judge but it must be said, Courtois is difficult to beat. His tall build combined with quick reflexes and outstretched dives makes it seem like Courtois is close to unbeatable at times. Of course, he won’t save everything but at the end of the day, he is the highest-rated goalkeeper in the game so it would be difficult to find any better than UTOTY Courtois.
Achraf Hakimi (RB)
- Overall: 110
- Skill Boost: Balanced
Overview
Hakimi was a key player in Morocco‘s drive to the World Cup 2022 semi-final – a record-breaking campaign for the country. Additionally, Hakimi played an important role on the right flank for PSG, as they won a record-equalling 10th Ligue 1 title. It was all about records for Hakimi in 2022, and not many other right-backs in world football could say the same for themselves.
VSA and H2H Gameplay
Hakimi has effectively dominated the high-end right-back market in this FIFA Mobile season. His UTOTY 23 card is the best one yet, and it’s obvious just by looking at the stats. In-game, Hakimi is a fun card to use, with great dribbling, speed, and an overpowered final ball.
He actually feels like a better player in comparison to his UTOTY full-back partner, Theo Hernandez. Perhaps that is due to his smaller and more nimble build or maybe the 5* weak foot, which brings another dynamic to Hakimi’s playstyle, allowing him to cut in as well. Defensively, Hakimi still passes the test – usually, he is a more attack-heavy type of player but this UTOTY version can seriously defend as well. All in all, a very natural RB to have. He’s probably one of the less appealing ones to pull from a UTOTY pack but it’s still worth considering him.
Theo Hernandez (LB)
- Overall: 110
- Skill Boost: Pace
Overview
Hernandez played an important role in helping France reach the World Cup 2022 final for the second consecutive time. He also won the Scudetto with AC Milan last year, a testament to his impressive performances for the Italian club. Not many left-backs in world football have consistently performed at the highest level like Hernandez. The Frenchman’s achievements in the past year highlight his ability as a player and showcase why he is deserving of his place in the UTOTY in FIFA Mobile.
VSA and H2H Gameplay
Just taking a quick glimpse at the stats is enough to know that this is a fantastic left-back card. UTOTY Hernandez is just like any other special Theo Hernandez card we’ve seen before in this game: solid defensively, good on the ball, and pace for days. Ultimately, UTOTY Hernandez is just an improvement to what we have already – a standard overpowered left-back.
Looking at the card on its own, it is obviously very powerful. Defensively and offensively, Hernandez does what you would need from an UTOTY-level player. He feels like a natural center-back when out of possession but can then bomb forward with pace. At the end of the day though, seeing this card pop out in a UTOTY player pack will probably be underwhelming considering the other options available.
Eder Militao (CB)
- Overall: 109
- Skill Boost: Defending
Overview
Miltao has added several trophies to his track record over the past year, which is largely why he is selected for this FIFA Mobile 23 UTOTY. The Brazilian played a crucial role in Real Madrid‘s victories in both the UEFA Champions League and the La Liga title. He had a good season all-round, with consistent performances throughout the year. Only a couple of defenders can claim that they have helped their team to a double over the past year, and Militao is one of the better ones.
VSA and H2H Gameplay
Pulling the lowest-rated UTOTY card out of the bunch with a slowly declining market price is the worst-case scenario when it comes to a UTOTY card pack. In fairness though, this Militao card is actually worth considering keeping. When comparing his stats to the great UTOTY Van Dijk, Militao actually manages to go toe-to-toe, with equal defending and better pace as well. In fact, the total stats of their base cards have very little difference between them.
Obviously, Van Dijk in-game is just scarier in-game but Militao is not that far off in quality. This card joins the “annoying” category of center-backs – he doesn’t necessarily impose a presence on the pitch but he is just abnormally quick and eager to win the ball back, even after being beaten on the dribble. Militao’s positioning in VSA is a bit dodgy, he seems to be rushing back into the box to defend more often than just being in the box already. He has great ball-playing abilities though, which is good for H2H. All in all, a very solid center-back, probably not the one you want to see in your UTOTY pack, but still worth using.
Virgil Van Dijk (CB)
- Overall: 111
- Skill Boost: Tackling
Overview
Van Dijk helped his team to several achievements in the 2021/22 season including the domestic double (FA Cup and the League Cup). He also played a key role in getting his team to the UCL final and within 1 point of the top of the PL table but was unlucky to miss out by such fine margins. Nonetheless, it was a successful year for the Dutchman, and with a bit of luck, it could have gone down in history.
VSA and H2H Gameplay
Something about Van Dijk cards in FIFA Mobile just makes them feel different; it’s like an air of inevitability, especially in VSA. UTOTY Van Dijk is a scary guy to come up against, with his heavy and tall build. He is like a homing missile in defense, locking on to the dribbler and effectively closing them down quickly, forcing a mistake. On top of that, he has pretty much all the other skills of a top center-back as well, speed, quick reactions, ball-playing, etc. As you would expect, he is a constant pain to play against in VSA and is a powerful tool to have in H2H as well.
Stats-wise, UTOTY Militao actually manages to come surprisingly close, despite the latter being 109 rated, as opposed to 111. Obviously, there’s no question as to which one is more valuable. Just having UTOTY Van Dijk in that backline might be enough to shake your opponent before the game has even started. Is it worth hoping to get this card in a pack? Probably not – that’s reserved for only the luckiest of the lucky players in FIFA Mobile.
FIFA Mobile 23 UTOTY Midfielders
Jude Bellingham (CM)
- Overall: 110
- Skill Boost: Long Passing
Overview
Bellingham has already established himself as a regular in the Borussia Dortmund squad and the England national team – it’s easy to forget he is just 19 years old. With top European clubs lining up for his signature, it’s clear Bellingham is one of the most valuable players on the planet. A place in the FIFA Mobile 23 UTOTY midfield is a nice way to recognize the achievements of a future superstar.
VSA and H2H Gameplay
At first glance, Bellingham looks like a complete, well-rounded midfielder and he is essentially just that. In fact, UTOTY Bellingham’s base average attributes are all 120 plus – something that the other two big UTOTY names don’t have.
Whilst the other midfielders are more attack-focused, Bellingham’s completeness means he is the better defensive option. Particularly with his height in the game as well, this card plays nicely in a box-to-box role in H2H. He breaks down plays well with tackles and interceptions and can also play line-breaking passes forward too.
As for VSA, Bellingham fits the role fine, but he isn’t as good as the other UTOTY center-midfielders. His shot power and finishing are great on their own, but relative to most high-level attackers in FIFA Mobile nowadays, Bellingham is behind in that aspect. At the end of the day, having a well-rounded midfielder makes little sense in VSA, since there are options for attacking-focused center-midfielders anyway. For H2H though, this card has basically everything you would need.
Luka Modric (CM)
- Overall: 111
- Skill Boost: Vision
Overview
Modric was a crucial component of Real Madrid‘s midfield in 2022 which went on to win both the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League. On top of that, he helped Croatia with another push in the 2022 World Cup, eventually leaving the competition after the semi-finals. It has been a successful year after a successful year for Modric, who is now 37 years of age but still consistently performing at a high level.
VSA and H2H Gameplay
What stands out about this Modric card is how smooth and fluid it feels on the ball. In general, it seems players of shorter height are just more agile on the dribble in FIFA Mobile. The way Modric carries the ball and turns with speed just feels pretty much perfect.
What makes Modric even more special though, is his ability to effortlessly ping passes across the pitch and target shots from distance, with both feet as well. The power and the whip on his kicks are satisfying to pull off and dangerous for the opposing team.
Combining these two abilities makes for a lethal midfielder skillset for both VSA and H2H. Defensively, Modric isn’t great for a card at this level but when in possession and attacking the final 3rd, that’s where this card shines most.
Kevin De Bruyne (CM)
- Overall: 112
- Skill Boost: Vision
Overview
Pep Guardiola‘s dangerous Manchester City team has always had one key player at the heart of it all – Kevin De Bruyne. It was another successful year for the Belgian, who won a 4th Premier League title and was named Player of the Season for the club and also for the whole league as well. Often regarded as one of the best players in the world in his position, De Bruyne is now also the highest-rated midfielder in FIFA Mobile as well.
VSA and H2H Gameplay
De Bruyne cards in FIFA Mobile always have that X factor quality which is rare in CMs in the game, and that is the final ball quality. His passing is brilliant anyway, but De Bruyne has the finishing of a top striker and for a player in this position, this is a unique attribute.
On the ball, this card performs decently – for a card of his level, he is slightly sluggish on the turn but it’s difficult to complain. De Bruyne is essentially a high-level CAM that plays at CM and that makes for a very dangerous card. For VSA, De Bruyne is the perfect type of CM to have, since he has that goalscoring power to play the role of an additional forward for the team.
Ultimately, De Bruyne is meant to shine in H2H as a final third specialist. His passes and shots in and around the box are consistently dangerous. For a center-midfielder, De Bruyne brings something unique to the table and when used correctly, he can be a fantastic weapon.
FIFA Mobile 23 UTOTY Forwards
Kylian Mbappe (LW)
- Overall: 112
- Skill Boost: Speed
Overview
When all hope seems lost for your team, that is the real test of which players hide away and which come out and grab the game by the scruff of its neck. Mbappe passed this test in the 2022 World Cup final. Despite no trophy, he came away with an outstanding hat trick and a Golden Boot. It’s evident this man is in a league of his own and he will surely begin to dominate the world of football soon enough.
VSA and H2H Gameplay
Mbappe is the dream model for a winger in FIFA Mobile. UTOTY Mbappe is packed with crazy pace, agile dribbling, and lethal finishing. On top of that, Mbappe also has that creativity as well – he can cut in and play through balls and crisp long passes, something which a goal-driven winger like Mbappe isn’t really expected to do. Is there anything else to ask of this card? Probably not – this card is complete and probably one of the highlights of this UTOTY line-up.
Lionel Messi (RW)
- Overall: 112
- Skill Boost: Agility
Overview
After a rocky start to life with PSG, Messi came through with an individual World Cup campaign that will go down in history. 7 goals in Qatar including two very important ones in the final was enough to bring a third World Cup to Argentina. Messi adds another trophy to his record, and this is one he has been searching for over his whole career, and finally, he has completed his set. Without a doubt, the past year has shown that Messi is one of the best, if not the best, footballers of all time.
VSA and H2H Gameplay
Messi is always fantastic in FIFA Mobile, and this card is no different. It’s that small build that makes him seem so agile and quick on the ball. The way he opens up his body for finesse shots, his speed when changing directions on the dribble, his lethal final ball – it’s all just perfect.
In H2H, Messi combines several roles into one, meaning he can both cut in and act as the playmaker and simultaneously make runs in behind to score himself too. For VSA, he is a brilliant dribbler with a 5* weak foot and a powerful shot. UTOTY Messi is as good as you can get for the right wing, and the card value proves that.
Karim Benzema (ST)
- Overall: 112
- Skill Boost: Shooting
Overview
Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d’Or award, officially placing him as the best footballer of 2022. Need we say more? That UEFA Champions League run will certainly go down in history as one of the most dramatic. Hat-tricks against PSG and Chelsea and wild clutch goals in the knockout rounds from Benzema carried Real Madrid through situations where all hope seemed lost. Undoubtedly, Benzema was one of the highlights of football in 2022.
VSA and H2H Gameplay
Unfortunately, Benzema doesn’t come programmed with any buffs making him unplayable at the end of a VSA or H2H match. Maybe if he did, then that would make this card worthwhile because, at the moment, it looks a little underwhelming.
Recently, EA handed out a free and easy-to-claim 108-rated Pele card to all players, and the ST variant happens to have better stats than 112-rated UTOTY Benzema. For those that have the Pele card, UTOTY Benzema is not much of an upgrade.
On its own, Benzema is a great striker – he can score from anywhere on the pitch, he is quick on the ball, and can create chances too. For a player of his quality, he does feel slightly slow on the turn, but he makes up for that with his top physicality. As you would expect, this is a brilliant striker to have. Obviously, he is amongst the highest-rated cards in the game too, so it would be quite nice to see him in a UTOTY pack.
Please feel free to ask any questions in the comments section below, I’ll make sure to reply to everyone. Hope you find this review on FIFA Mobile 23 UTOTY Players useful.
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