Real Madrid is once again the premier force in European football, defying the odds to become domestic league champions of La Liga and winners of the Champions League for a record fourteenth time. It may have been a surprise to see Los Blancos lift the iconic trophy over more favored sides such as Man City or Liverpool, but there’s no doubt that Madrid was aided by some exceptional individual talent.
Having the players in place is one thing, it’s quite another getting them to work as a cohesive unit. Luckily, manager Carlo Ancelotti is one of the finest club coaches of all time, his ability to manage big players and big egos making his sides formidable wherever he goes. With these players and an appropriate formation, any FIFA enthusiast can become the Carlo Ancelotti of their living room and harness the power of the greatest Champions League club ever.
Ratings shown are taken from the latest FIFA 22 update but do not take into account recent transfers or market activity.
12 Formation: 4-3-3 False Nine (Alternative: 4-5-1)
FIFA 22's default Real Madrid formation is recommended for a reason. Practically no other setup plays to the strengths of its key players quite like the 4-3-3, allowing the creativity of Los Blancos to thrive while playing to its main strengths in midfield and attack. Just as in real life, good management involves getting one’s players in the positions they feel comfortable playing in, with the 4-3-3 allowing the talents of its players to shine most effectively.
For managers looking to be experimental, there’s also a lot to be said for the 4-5-1, a similar formation to the recommended 4-3-3 that keeps the pivotal midfield trio of Modric, Kroos, and Casemiro as the team’s core. Most other formations sacrifice this elite unit by attempting to push one of the midfield three too far forward, but the 4-5-1 plays to its players’ strengths in a way that is similar to the 4-3-3 False Nine.
Both formations practically pick themselves in terms of the players used, the only real headaches coming in the form of whether to play the struggling Eden Hazard on the left over Vinícius Júnior or whether to place Marco Asensio on the right wing over Federico Valverde. Neither switch affects an overall statistical change, so such decisions are often dictated by tactics, preference, and availability.
11 GK – Marc- Thibaut Courtois
Of all the positions to pick, the goalkeeper must be the simplest of all. Belgian international Thibaut Courtois had shaken off a tricky debut season at Madrid to become arguably the finest keeper in the world, and his inclusion here is not up for a challenge. 23-year-old Ukrainian Andriy Lunin makes for a very decent backup, but Courtois’s whopping 89 rating speaks for itself.
10 LB – Ferland Mendy
With Marcelo’s time at Real Madrid sadly coming to an end, Ferland Mendy can rest easy knowing he has the left-back spot completely nailed down. The Frenchman doesn’t necessarily take all of the headlines from his position in the back line, but he’s proven himself a capable and explosively fast asset in defense.
Mendy’s key attribute is unquestionably his lightning pace (91 acceleration and 92 sprint speed), but his stats are exceedingly well-balanced elsewhere. While nothing stands out as outstanding, pretty much every necessary attribute is well into the green, making Mendy a hugely valuable player without any glaring weaknesses or defects.
9 CB – David Alaba
Easily one of the finest defenders of his generation, David Alaba has transferred his undeniable quality and experience to Madrid with consummate ease. With an 85 overall rating and the versatility of playing at center-back or left-back, Alaba’s inclusion is simply a formality.
Much like Mendy, Alaba is a complete footballer, evidencing very few defects or weaknesses that might render him unreliable. With ball control at 85 and defensive awareness at 87, Alaba is as confident on the ball as he is without it, making him a vital asset at the heart of defense or, if it comes to it, holding court in the midfield.
8 CB – Éder Militão
Brazilian Éder Militão has improved immeasurably since he joined Real Madrid from Porto in 2019, proving himself a capable successor to the outgoing Raphaël Varane after the latter joined Manchester United in 2021.
Unlike Mendy and Alaba, Militão has clearly defined strengths and he knows exactly how to use them. Not the most technical player or the most well-rounded, Militão is a bulldozer defender in the mold of Vidic or Pepe, his solid strength (81), impressive jumping ability (88), and considerable aggression (82) making him the perfect choice for those FIFA players who like their center-backs with a bit of edge.
7 RB – Dani Carvajal
At 30 years of age, stalwart Dani Carvajal is showing no signs of slowing down. With an 85 overall rating, Carvajal remains one of the best full-backs in the entirety of FIFA 22 thanks to his exceptional work rate and complete lack of discernible weaknesses. In fact, the only flaws that one can really see in the Spaniard’s game are those pertaining to his attacking ability.
Carvajal can’t shoot and he can’t take penalties, but as far as well-rounded defenders go, the Madrid legend is pretty much perfect. Replacement right-back Lucas Vasquez is a hugely capable 81-rated deputy, but Carvajal's spot isn't under much threat.
6 CDM – Casemiro
CDM is the role Casemiro was born to play. One of the most aggressive and tenacious players of the last ten years, the Brazilian has absolutely nailed down his position in the Madrid side to become an invaluable enforcer, effective at breaking up play and shielding his back four from danger with his bullish style of play.
With 91 aggression, 90 strength, and 87 for his slide tackle, not to mention 88 long shots, Casemiro is built around power and brute force. Knocking him off the ball is impossible, and the 89-rated Brazilian is a nightmare for opponents looking to break through in the midfield.
5 CM – Toni Kroos
The final part of probably the best midfield triumvirate in all of FIFA 22, German legend Toni Kroos rounds out an exceptional trio with his own superb rating of 88.
Kroos offers a nice balance to that which is provided by Modric and Casemiro. A technician similar to Modric, Kroos’ passing range is phenomenal, whilst his effectiveness at set-pieces, including free kicks, corners, and penalties, add another layer of value to an unbelievably complete player. 88 ball control, 88 crossing, and 93 long and short pass are attributes most of Kroos' contemporaries can only dream of.
4 CM – Luka Modric
Easily one of the finest midfielders of his generation, perhaps of all time, diminutive Croatian Luka Modric is still going strong at 36 years old as an absolute necessity at the heart of this Madrid team. At some point, the likes of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni will end up as the new vital cogs in the Madrid machine, but right now Modric remains the logical choice.
He isn’t fast, strong, or particularly impressive in the air, but Modric’s technical abilities, be they long passes (89), crossing (86), ball control (90), or composure (92) make him essential as a creative midfield force.
3 LW – Vinícius Júnior
One of Real Madrid's most improved players last season, Vinícius Júnior is finally looking like the unplayable phenom many Madrid fans hoped he would become when he signed for the Spanish giants in 2018.
Vinícius Júnior's current overall rating of 84 will likely receive a boost when FIFA 23 drops, but right now his game is one built on pace, skill, and direct, aggressive attacking play. Purists may prefer Eden Hazard (also with an 84 rating), but the Brazilian's pace (95 sprint speed!) and technical ability are a lethal combination.
2 ST – Karim Benzema
Aside from Courtois in goal, Karim Benzema is likely the first name on any team sheet. Perfectly suited to the front three formation, Benzema’s physicality and unparalleled finishing prowess mean that he’s ideal for getting on the end of crosses and dominating aerial battles.
Placing the Frenchman as a false nine also allows him to drop back and become more involved in proceedings, dropping back to win aerial duels and then allowing pacier wingers, namely Valverde and Vinícius Júnior to find space behind.
1 RW – Federico Valverde
It’s a toss-up between the Uruguayan and Marco Asensio for the final place on the team sheet, but Valverde just about wins out thanks to his exceptional work rate and surprising turn of pace.
Others may want to start with Asensio and then capitalize on Valverde’s versatility by naming him on the bench, assessing which areas are becoming depleted before bringing the utility man on either in midfield, out wide, or even dropping back to help in defense.
FIFA 22 is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and Stadia.