The story behind Thomas Muller's formula-breaking FIFA rating

Thomas Muller regularly received a strong rating on FIFA, almost breaking the formula with his mark.

For FIFA 23, the final game in the FIFA series after its partnership ended after 30 years, Muller was named as the fourth best-player in the Bundesliga.

Only Bayern Munich colleagues Manuel Neuer, Sadio Mane and Joshua Kimmich were ranked ahead of Muller, who was given an 87 rating, with 67 pace, 80 dribbling, 84 shooting and 83 passing.

It's the exact same overall he was given the previous year by EA, who are evidently big fans of him.

In 2018, it was revealed that the former Germany international had to have his FIFA ratings improved because "he wasn't good at anything."

FIFA ratings always cause a stir among fans but they are not merely plucked out of thin air. Normally a team of 9000 data reviewers, which includes professional-level scouts and coaches, decide the overall.

The majority are made up of season-ticket holders who watch loads of games in person, who then provide feedback.

But it seems as though Muller is an exception. Despite holding the Bundesliga assist record and having scored over 200 goals for Bayern, it's hard to pinpoint exactly what the 33-year-old is good at.

Michael Mueller-Moehring, the man who collects and verifies the data at EA Sports, explained why Muller is treated a little differently.

"A case is Thomas Muller, who isn't good at anything, really, apart from his positioning." he told ESPN.

"He always finds the right spot on the pitch, it's amazing. But he's not a great dribbler and he can't really strike the ball properly - his finishing is sometimes really, really off. Shot power is not his strength as well.

"So if you rate Thomas Muller properly, he ends up with a rating that we say doesn't make sense. It's too low."

You just know that when he retires, Muller is getting a quite incredible Icon card.