FIFA 21 Career Mode: Best Contract Expiry Signings in 2022 (Second Season)

Looking to sign a star forward like Kylian Mbappé or Cristiano Ronaldo? In the second season of FIFA 21’s Career Mode, their contracts are set to expire…

Author:

Ben Chopping

Started off as a sports writer with a focus on football, ice hockey, boxing, and American football. After leaving RealSport, I diversified my writing substantially, kept with sport, but also leaned much more heavily into pop culture, iGaming, travel, business, tech, and especially gaming. Later, I co-founded Outsider Gaming, was the primary writer and editor-in-chief, and helped to train and bring on the writing talents who also had a passion for gaming. Now, I’m writing everything and anything, from sports to gaming, SEO-optimised content to reviews and previews.

Published on: Oct 17, 2020 | Updated on: Sep 8, 2023

Contents

1 Cristiano Ronaldo, Piemonte Calcio (92 OVR)
2 Neymar Jr, Paris Saint-Germain (91 OVR)
3 Kylian Mbappé, Paris Saint-Germain (90 OVR)
4 Marc-André ter Stegen, FC Barcelona (90 OVR)
5 Karim Benzema, Real Madrid (89 OVR)
6 All the best FIFA 21 contract expiry signings in 2022 (second season)

Through the last several editions of FIFA, savvy Career Mode players have looked to contract expiry signings to get a top-class player for next to nothing.

In FIFA 21, landing a contract expiry signing in the traditional way has become much more challenging, as we detailed in the 2021 Contract Expiry Signings guide. Still, there’s a chance that some of these players with expiring contracts can be negotiated with for a lower price or as a free agent at the end of the second season.

Here, we’re diving straight in, running through ALL the best Career Mode FIFA 21 contract expiry signings in 2022, whose contracts expire at the end of the second season.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Piemonte Calcio (92 OVR)

Best Position: ST, LW
First Season Age: 35
Wage: £195,000
Overall Rating: 92
Best Attributes: 95 Jumping, 95 Reactions, 95 Finishing

Cristiano Ronaldo is still one of the best players in the world, with his tremendous athleticism carrying through his mid-30s and keeping him on top of the game.

Once again, the Portuguese superstar is off to a hot start. Playing as Juventus’ striker, Ronaldo scored three goals in the first two games of the season, but then tested positive for Covid-19 while on international duty.

In FIFA 21, Ronaldo is second only to Lionel Messi in overall rating, with his 6’2’’ height, 90 heading accuracy, 95 jumping, and 95 positioning making him as much of a threat in the air as he is with the ball at his feet.

While he is 35-years-old, it’s tough to see Ronaldo’s hefty 92 OVR degrading too much over two seasons, making him one of the best contract expiry signings to target in 2022 on Career Mode.

Neymar Jr, Paris Saint-Germain (91 OVR)

Best Position: LW, CAM
First Season Age: 28
Wage: £240,000
Overall Rating: 91
Best Attributes: 96 Agility, 95 Dribbling, 95 Ball Control

Neymar Jr endured a turbulent start to the season. He missed the first game due to Covid-19, was sent off at the end of a 1-0 loss to Olympique Marseille for his part in a scuffle, and missed the next two games.

In his third game of the season, Paris Saint-Germain’s sixth, the Brazilian finally found his way onto the score sheet, scoring twice and setting up another in the 6-1 win over SC Angers.

Neymar is a favourite among FIFA 21 players, thanks to his 91 OVR, five-star weak foot, five-star skill moves, 94 acceleration, 89 sprint speed, and 96 agility.

Still in the prime of his career, there’s a chance that Neymar can become a 2022 contract expiry signing for the second season of Career Mode.

Kylian Mbappé, Paris Saint-Germain (90 OVR)

Best Position: ST, LW, RW
First Season Age: 21
Wage: £140,000
Overall Rating: 90
Best Attributes: 96 Acceleration, 96 Sprint Speed, 92 Dribbling

Easily one of the most exciting young players in world football, Kylian Mbappé has already more than made up for the early segment of the season that he missed.

The World Cup winner was unable to play in the first three one-goal games for PSG, but in the next four Ligue 1 contests, Mbappé amassed four goals and four assists.

Mbappé will be one of the most sought-after potential 2022 contract expiry signings in FIFA 21. Only 21-years-old at the start of the game, he’ll be even closer to his massive 95 POT by the time the end of the second season comes around.

The Frenchman already offers a huge amount of pace and striking ability, coming in with 92 dribbling, 92 agility, 96 acceleration, 96 sprint speed, and 91 finishing.

Marc-André ter Stegen, FC Barcelona (90 OVR)

Best Position: GK
First Season Age: 28
Wage: £240,000
Overall Rating: 90
Best Attributes: 90 Goalkeeper Reflexes, 88 Goalkeeper Diving, 88 Goalkeeper Positioning

Marc-André ter Stegen enjoyed a decent 2019/20 campaign, even if it was a disappointing one for the club. In La Liga, the German only allowed 36 goals in 36 games, keeping a clean sheet in 14 matches.

This season, Ter Stegen has been unable to pick up where he left off due to injury, but the knee problems aren’t expected to keep him out for too long.

Barcelona’s shot-stopper is already one of the highest-rated goalkeepers in FIFA 21, but by the time his contract expiry is set to come around, Ter Stegen may have reached his 93 POT.

In line to become a free agent at the end of the second season of Career Mode, the 6’2’’ goalie will likely have improved on his 90 goalkeeper reflexes, 88 goalkeeper diving, and 85 goalkeeper handling.

Karim Benzema, Real Madrid (89 OVR)

Best Position: CF, ST
First Season Age: 32
Wage: £320,000
Overall Rating: 89
Best Attributes: 91 Reactions, 91 Heading Accuracy, 90 Ball Control

By scoring his first goal of the season in a 2-0 win over Levante, Karim Benzema clocked-in his 250^th score for Real Madrid, reaching the milestone in 517 games.

The French centre forward continues to be a pivotal part of Zinédine Zidane’s system, working over centre backs to open spaces and passing lanes for the talented midfielders and attackers of Los Blancos.

Benzema enters FIFA 21 as the highest-rated CF, carrying an 89 OVR with 91 heading accuracy, 88 finishing, 90 positioning, and 86 short passing.

He’s 32-years-old at the start of the game, so he’ll likely see his overall rating decline a bit by the time he’s currently set to become a second season contract expiry signing.

All the best FIFA 21 contract expiry signings in 2022 (second season)

Below, you’ll find the list of all of the potential 2022 contract expiry signings, with the current contracts of these players set to run out at the end of the second season.

Name	Position	Age (2022)	Overall	Potential	Team	Value	Wage
Cristiano Ronaldo	ST, LW	37	92	92	Piemonte Calcio (Juventus)	£56.5 million	£195,000
Neymar Jr	LW, CAM	30	91	91	Paris Saint-Germain	£119 million	£240,000
Kylian Mbappé	LW, RW	23	90	95	Paris Saint-Germain	£167 million	£140,000
Marc-André ter Stegen	GK	30	90	93	FC Barcelona	£99 million	£240,000
Karim Benzema	CF, ST	34	89	89	Real Madrid	£75 million	£320,000
Paulo Dybala	CF, CAM	28	88	89	Piemonte Calcio (Juventus)	£98.5 million	£170,000
Luis Suárez	ST	35	87	87	Atlético Madrid	£46 million	£100,000
Hugo Lloris	GK	35	87	87	Tottenham Hotspur	£23.5 million	£110,000
Carvajal	RB	30	86	86	Real Madrid	£55.5 million	£110,000
Raphaël Varane	CB	29	86	88	Real Madrid	£65 million	£195,000
Mats Hummels	CB	33	86	86	Borussia Dortmund	£42 million	£84,000
David Silva	CAM, CM	36	86	86	Real Sociedad	£28.5 million	£52,000
Gerard Piqué	CB	35	86	86	FC Barcelona	£29 million	£195,000
Alejandro Gómez	CF, ST	34	86	86	Atalanta	£48.5 million	£90,000
Lorenzo Insigne	LW, CF	31	85	85	SSC Napoli	£47.5 million	£105,000
Dries Mertens	CF, ST	35	85	85	SSC Napoli	£31 million	£100,000
André Onana	GK	26	84	88	Ajax	£43 million	£16,000
Marcelo Brozović	CDM, CM	29	84	85	Inter Milan	£39 million	£115,000
Niklas Süle	CB	26	84	89	Bayern Munich	£52 million	£76,000
Nicolás Tagliafico	LB	29	84	84	Ajax	£36.5 million	£24,500
Leon Goretzka	CM, CDM	27	84	88	Bayern Munich	£52.5 million	£93,000
Felipe	CB	33	84	84	Atlético Madrid	£26 million	£67,000
Josip Iličić	CF, ST	34	84	84	Atalanta	£31 million	£83,000
Isco	CM, LW	30	84	84	Real Madrid	£38 million	£190,000
Jesús Corona	RM, RB	29	84	84	FC Porto	£40.5 million	£22,500
Douglas Costa	RW, LW	31	84	84	Piemonte Calcio (Juventus)	£37.5 million	£105,000
Azpilicueta	RB, LB	32	84	84	Chelsea	£32.5 million	£105,000
Rui Patrício	GK	34	84	84	Wolverhampton Wanderers	£19 million	£81,000
Axel Witsel	CDM, CM	33	84	84	Borussia Dortmund	£26.5 million	£71,000
Lucas Leiva	CDM	35	84	84	Lazio	£19 million	£74,000
Salvatore Sirigu	GK	35	84	84	Torino	£12.5 million	£48,500
Ousmane Dembélé	LW, RW	25	83	89	FC Barcelona	£51.5 million	£160,000
Denis Zakaria	CB, CM	25	83	87	Borussia Mönchengladbach	£42.5 million	£40,500
Thomas Strakosha	GK	27	83	88	Lazio	£38 million	£52,000
Alessio Romagnoli	CB	27	83	87	AC Milan	£40.5 million	£46,000
Marcel Sabitzer	CM, CAM	28	83	85	RB Leipzig	£40 million	£66,000
Sergi Roberto	RB, CM	30	83	83	FC Barcelona	£29.5 million	£160,000
Alexandre Lacazette	ST	31	83	83	Arsenal	£32.5 million	£190,000
Kieran Trippier	RB	31	83	83	Atlético Madrid	£28.5 million	£63,000
Fernando	CDM, CM	34	83	83	Sevilla FC	£22 million	£34,500
Yuri Berchiche	LB	32	83	83	Athletic Club de Bilbao	£28 million	£31,000
Arturo Vidal	CDM, CAM	35	83	83	Inter Milan	£20 million	£110,000