Football Career Sim: Be a Pro
Best position in a football career game

Best position in a football career game

Your position changes your peak age, recorded statistics and available awards. Striker and goalkeeper are free from the start; defender, midfielder and winger are unlocked with the position pack.

As of November 2, 2026. Written by YT Lab, the makers of Football Career Sim: Be a Pro, using the game rules and careers actually completed by players.

Comparison at a glance

Position	Peak	Average seasons	Average retirement age	Average record
Striker	Age 27	18.1	Age 34.9	258 goals
Winger	Age 26	17.9	Age 33.7	176 goals + 144 assists
Midfielder	Age 28	20	Age 35.8	160 assists
Defender	Age 29	20.5	Age 36.4	186 clean sheets
Goalkeeper	Age 31	21.5	Age 38.3	160 clean sheets

Averages use 36,402 careers completed through retirement. Of those, 78% were strikers and 11% were goalkeepers.

Striker

Strikers are judged on goals. Their season award is top scorer, and their Player of the Month threshold of around 18 points is the highest of the five positions. Retired strikers averaged 258 goals; the record is 778.

Winger

Wingers peak earliest at 26 and also retire earliest (average 33.7). They alone can complete the league triple crown with either top scorer or assist leader. Retired wingers averaged 176 goals and 144 assists.

Midfielder

Reading the game and passing are central. The individual award is assist leader, and the Player of the Month threshold is around 11 points. Retired midfielders averaged 160 assists; the record is 368.

Defender

A peak at 29 helps defenders maintain their ability longer. Clean sheets are recorded for defenders, who can win Defender of the Year. The Player of the Month threshold is around 10 points. Retired defenders averaged 186 clean sheets; the record is 414.

Goalkeeper

Goalkeepers peak latest at 31 and play longest, averaging 21.5 seasons. Their World Player of the Year requirements are the strictest. See goalkeeper career.

Peak age shapes growth

The younger and further from the peak, the greater the monthly growth; it declines rapidly after the peak. Late-peaking goalkeepers and defenders grow longer, while wingers bloom early. Physical attributes such as pace peak one year earlier, and mental attributes such as reading the game three years later.

Frequently asked questions

Which positions are free?

Striker and goalkeeper. Defender, midfielder and winger are unlocked with the position pack.

Which position is best for a beginner?

A striker's visible goals and assists make records easiest to read. If you want to develop one player for longer, choose a goalkeeper, who peaks latest.