FIFA 23 wonderkids: The 30 best young defenders

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:46 CDT
• 4 min read

Bayern Munich and Canadian wonderkid Alphonso Davies and RB Leipzig and Croatian star Josko Gvardiol are the two highest rated young defenders in FIFA 23.

The Bundesliga prodigies both have a potential rating of 89 in FIFA 23's career mode, which is one of the most popular game modes in EA Sports' video game.

Players are given a base rating in the game mode, but have the potential to grow and become higher rated as the game progresses.

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Davies has been handed a base rating of 84 in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team, career mode and kick-off, while Gvardiol is slightly lower at 81 rated. However, they both have the potential to reach 89 rated in career mode.

As well as being the highest rated defender aged 21 or under, Davies is also the second highest rated under 21 player in the game regardless of position.

Davies has enjoyed a hugely successful rise to the top of world football following his move from his native Canada to Bayern in 2019 and he's seen his base rating increase by two from his 82 rated card in FIFA 22.

READ: FIFA 23 wonderkids: Top 30 youngsters on the game

Gvardiol was rated 75 in FIFA 22, with his plus six rating testament to his eye-catching performances in the Bundesliga in the 2021/22 season.

Paris Saint-Germain full-back Nuno Mendes, Ajax centre-back Jurrien Timber and Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio all have the potential to become 88 rated cards in career mode, with the latter originally rated 79, and the former two both rated 80.

Arsenal star William Saliba is also rated 80 in FIFA Ultimate Team, but on career mode he has the potential to reach the heights of an 87 rated card. The Frenchman has the same potential as Benfica youngster Antonio Silva, who starts as a 69 rated card.

Jeremie Frimpong, Wesley Fofana, Castello Lukeba, Rayan Ait Nouri and Giorgio Scalvini are all able to reach 86 rated in FIFA 23 career mode.

Piero Hincapie, Benoit Badiashile, Sergino Dest, Vandersin and Malo Gusto are among several players with a potential rating of 85.

Quentin Merlin and Micky van de Ven complete the top 30 defenders aged 21 or under with the highest potential in FIFA 23.

The 30 highest rated young defenders in FIFA 23