Picking the right character in Beat The Champions can make the difference between lifting trophies and watching from the bench. This tier list breaks down every playable legend based on their current meta performance, skill ceiling, and overall impact in both single-player campaigns and multiplayer matches.
The current Beat The Champions meta heavily favors technical players with strong dribbling stats and versatile skill sets. Pace merchants still have their place, but the game rewards smart positioning and combo execution more than raw speed. Physical strikers work best as support options rather than primary carries.
S-Tier: The Elite
Messi sits alone at the top for good reason. His 98 dribbling stat combined with signature moves like the Left-Foot Curler and Close Control Mastery makes him nearly unstoppable in skilled hands. You can chain his skill moves together for 15+ second possession runs that leave defenders scrambling. His weak foot penalty is barely noticeable since most scenarios favor his dominant left side.
Cruyff earns his S-tier spot through sheer versatility. The Cruyff Turn creates space against any defender, while his 94 vision allows for passes that other players simply can't see. His stamina of 89 means he stays effective deep into matches when others start fading. The combination of technical ability and game intelligence makes him perfect for both attacking and playmaking roles.
A-Tier: Tournament Winners
Ronaldinho brings flair that translates into real advantages. His Elastico move has the fastest animation in the game at 0.8 seconds, making it perfect for tight spaces. The No-Look Pass confuses AI defenders and human opponents alike. His 91 creativity stat unlocks unique assist opportunities that can turn defensive situations into instant counters.
Maradona dominates through his Hand of God special ability and incredible balance. His low center of gravity (shortest player at 5'5") makes him nearly impossible to knock off the ball. The Napoli Spin creates scoring angles from positions where other players would struggle to even pass.
Ronaldo (Brazil) combines pace with clinical finishing better than anyone else in A-tier. His Stepover Combo chains into shooting animations faster than defensive recovery, leading to consistent goal-scoring opportunities. The 96 finishing stat means most shots find the net when you create half-chances.
B-Tier: Solid Starters
Pelé remains viable thanks to his Bicycle Kick special and well-rounded stats. No major weaknesses, but no dominant strengths either. His 88 across most categories makes him predictable for experienced opponents. Still excellent for learning the game's fundamentals.
Ronaldo (Portugal) relies heavily on his Power Header ability and 99 jumping reach. Devastating in the right situations but struggles when matches stay on the ground. His Knuckleball Free Kick wins games, but only if you can earn set pieces consistently.
Zidane offers control through his Marseille Roulette and exceptional passing range. His 95 composure keeps him calm under pressure, but his 84 pace limits breakaway potential. Works best in possession-heavy strategies where you can dictate tempo.
Beckham excels at long-range situations with his Bend It crosses and free kicks. His 40-Yard Pass creates instant transitions from defense to attack. However, his 79 dribbling makes him vulnerable in tight spaces where the meta currently focuses.
C-Tier: Situational Picks
Kaká brings speed (97 pace) but lacks the technical skills that define the current meta. His Through Ball Vision works well against defensive formations, but struggles when opponents press high. Best used as a super-sub for specific tactical situations.
Baggio has beautiful skill animations with his Divine Ponytail celebration, but his stats don't match the spectacle. His Penalty Perfection trait makes him valuable in shootout scenarios, yet most matches are decided before penalties.
Totti works as a deep-lying playmaker with his Roma Curl shot and Captain's Armband leadership buff. His 82 pace severely limits his effectiveness against faster defenders. Consider him only for possession-based formations.
D-Tier: Bench Warmers
Pirlo struggles with the current pace-heavy meta. His Quarterback Pass looks impressive but takes too long to execute against aggressive pressing. His 74 pace makes him a liability in transition moments.
Riquelme has similar problems with modern gameplay demands. Beautiful No. 10 vision but lacks the athleticism to compete at higher levels. His Showboat skill actually wastes time rather than creating advantages.
Scholes sits in D-tier despite his Tree Tackle defensive ability. His positioning as a midfielder-defender hybrid doesn't fit the game's attack-focused meta. His 76 dribbling makes him easy to dispossess.
Meta Analysis
The current Balance Patch 1.3 shifted power toward technical dribblers and away from pace-based strategies. Formation 4-2-3-1 works best with S and A-tier players, while 3-5-2 can elevate B-tier options through better positioning support.
Skill move canceling became more important after the recent update. Characters with faster animation speeds gain significant advantages in high-level play. This explains why Messi and Ronaldinho dominate competitive matches.
Counter-attacking received nerfs that hurt pure pace merchants like Kaká. The game now rewards patient buildup play over direct running, explaining the rise of technical players in the meta rankings.
Building Your Squad
Focus your early unlocks on securing at least one S-tier character. Messi requires 2,500 legend points while Cruyff costs 2,000, making them expensive but worthwhile investments. Check out our Best Beat The Champions Builds for optimized squad compositions.
Mix complementary playstyles rather than stacking similar characters. Pair Messi's dribbling with Ronaldo's finishing, or combine Cruyff's creativity with Ronaldinho's flair. Avoid putting three pace-heavy players together since the meta doesn't support that approach.
Consider your preferred game modes when choosing characters. World Cup Mode favors well-rounded squads, while Legend Challenges might require specific character abilities. Multiplayer Ranked heavily weighs toward S and A-tier picks for obvious reasons.
This tier list reflects the current meta as of Patch 1.3. Character balancing updates could shift these rankings, especially if the developers address the pace vs. technical skill imbalance. Monitor patch notes for changes that might affect your favorite legends.