What Age Do Players Start to Decline in FIFA 23?

The dreaded question every FIFA Career Mode manager faces: at what point do my star players start their inevitable decline? In FIFA 23, the age at which a player’s overall rating (OVR) begins to decrease typically starts around 29 years old. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, as factors like player potential, training, and game time can influence the speed and severity of the decline. However, generally speaking, expect players nearing their 30s to gradually lose their edge. Understanding this decline and how to mitigate it is crucial for long-term success in Career Mode. You should also consider that FIFA 22 has new player degradation mechanics meaning beyond the age of 26, a player’s overall rating will stop increasing.

Understanding Player Decline in FIFA 23

The aging process in FIFA 23 Career Mode isn’t just about numbers dropping; it’s about a gradual shift in player attributes. Key attributes like pace, agility, stamina, and strength are often the first to be affected. This can significantly impact a player’s effectiveness on the pitch, even if their overall rating hasn’t plummeted. Remember, a 32-year-old with an 85 OVR might not perform as well as a 27-year-old with the same rating if their physical stats have diminished considerably.

Factors Influencing Decline

Several factors contribute to the rate at which players decline:

• Potential: Players with higher potential tend to maintain their peak performance for a longer period. This means a player with a potential of 90 will likely decline slower than a player with a potential of 80, even at the same age.
• Training: Focused training drills can help slow down the decline of specific attributes. Targeting areas like pace and stamina can prolong a player’s effectiveness.
• Game Time: Paradoxically, excessive game time can accelerate decline, especially for older players. Managing their workload and providing rest can help preserve their physical condition.
• Position: Some positions are more demanding than others. For example, wingers and full-backs, who rely heavily on pace and stamina, might decline faster than central midfielders who can rely more on their passing and vision.
• Dynamic Potential: While not directly preventing decline, Dynamic Potential can slightly offset it if the player performs exceptionally well, potentially leading to temporary attribute boosts.

Mitigating the Decline: Tips and Strategies

While you can’t completely stop the aging process, you can take steps to minimize its impact:

1. Strategic Training: Focus training on physical attributes like acceleration, sprint speed, agility, and stamina. Use training drills that target these areas specifically.
2. Rotation and Squad Management: Avoid overplaying older players. Implement a rotation system to keep them fresh and prevent burnout. This also gives younger players valuable game time and experience.
3. Contract Management: Be realistic about offering new contracts to aging players. Consider shorter contracts with lower wages.
4. Youth Academy Focus: Invest in your youth academy to develop promising replacements for aging stars. This ensures a continuous flow of talent into your squad.
5. Sell Strategically: Don’t wait until a player’s value has plummeted. If a player is showing signs of decline and their value is still high, consider selling them and reinvesting in younger talent.
6. Utilize Development Plans: Take full advantage of the development plans available in the training section. These can significantly boost specific attributes over time.
7. Balanced Squad Composition: Ensure your squad isn’t overly reliant on older players. A healthy mix of youth and experience is crucial for long-term success.
8. Loans for Youth Players: Normal loans are beneficial for the growth of youth players. Your loaned out players can grow by up to 20+ overall growth in a single season, even without game time!

FAQs About Player Decline in FIFA 23

Here are some frequently asked questions about player decline in FIFA 23 Career Mode:

1. What’s the best way to scout for youth players with high potential?

Focus on scouting regions known for producing talented young players, such as South America and certain European countries. Look for scouts with high ratings in judgement potential and judgement experience. Send them on assignments specifically targeting promising youngsters.

2. Can I prevent a player from declining altogether?

No, you cannot completely prevent a player from declining. Age is inevitable. However, you can significantly slow down the process and maintain their effectiveness for a longer period through strategic training and squad management.

3. Do goalkeepers decline at the same rate as outfield players?

Generally, goalkeepers tend to decline slightly slower than outfield players. This is because the physical demands of the position are different, and experience can compensate for some loss of athleticism.

4. Does player personality affect the rate of decline?

While player personality doesn’t directly affect the decline rate, it can influence their attribute growth and overall performance. Players with higher personality traits might be more receptive to training and more consistent on the pitch, indirectly helping to maintain their value and effectiveness. You can learn more about games and learning at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

5. How does player morale affect their decline?

Low morale can negatively impact a player’s performance and willingness to train, potentially accelerating their decline. Keep your players happy with fair contracts, regular game time (when appropriate), and positive team dynamics.

6. At what age do regens typically appear in the game?

Regens, which are generated players who replace retiring stars, are typically young players aged 16 or under. They will have the same nationality, birthdate, height, position and weight as the player.

7. What are some signs that a player is about to decline significantly?

Keep an eye on their physical attributes, particularly pace, acceleration, agility, and stamina. If these stats start to drop noticeably, it’s a sign that their decline is accelerating. Also, pay attention to their performance on the pitch; if they’re struggling to keep up with the pace of the game, it’s time to start planning for their replacement.

8. How does the “potential” stat work in relation to aging?

Players with higher potential tend to decline slower and maintain their peak performance for longer. A player with “exciting prospect” potential (86-90) will likely remain a valuable asset for several seasons longer than a player with lower potential.

9. Can loans help prevent decline?

Loans are more beneficial for younger players to gain experience and improve their overall rating. For older players, loans can be detrimental as they miss out on focused training and squad management within your team.

10. Should I always sell aging players as soon as they hit 29?

Not necessarily. Consider their contribution to the team, their leadership qualities, and their potential resale value. If they’re still performing well and providing valuable experience to younger players, it might be worth keeping them for another season or two.

11. What happens when a player retires?

When a player retires, the game generates a “regen” player, a young player (aged 16 or under) with the same nationality and playing position, to replace them. This regen player will typically have high potential and can become a valuable asset for your team or another club.

12. Is it better to sign pre-contract players or buy them outright?

Signing pre-contract players can be a cost-effective way to acquire talent, especially if they’re close to the end of their contracts. However, you’ll have to wait until their contract expires to bring them to your team. Buying them outright allows you to add them to your squad immediately, but it will likely cost more.

13. Does height and weight affect a player’s decline?

Height and weight primarily affect a player’s physical attributes. Taller players might have better strength and heading ability, while shorter players might be more agile. However, they don’t directly influence the rate of decline.

14. Can coaching staff impact player development and decline?

Yes! Hire coaches with high ratings in attacking, defending, or goalkeeping, depending on your team’s needs. Good coaches can significantly boost player development, including slowing down the decline of older players.

15. Is FIFA 23 Career Mode worth playing?

Absolutely! FIFA 23 Career Mode offers a deep and engaging experience, allowing you to build your dream team, manage finances, develop youth players, and compete for trophies. Despite the inevitable player decline, it’s a rewarding and challenging mode that can provide hours of entertainment.