I'm baffled how you can think players like Messi or Neymar don't feel different to other players. Try a forward from a lower league club and the difference is enormous. Worse players have heavier touches, cannot change direction as fast, can't shield the ball as well, have far worse off-the-ball AI in terms of runs and positioning compared to top players, and lower-rated players can't really beat defenders.
Take Modric for example. I had a low-rated youth player in the centre of midfield and they were never available for a pass, had a heavy first touch and passes were intercepted. I subbed him off for Modric, and the difference was massive. He could retain the ball under pressure miles better, passes were faster, more accurate, and played into the stride of a player rather than forcing the receiver to stop to gather the pass.
But the biggest difference was in Modric's off-the-ball movement. He was constantly buzzing around whoever I had in control of the ball, was constantly available for a pass by dropping deep and finding space..
Anyways, we all have different tastes, but labelling this version of FIFA as sub-par in the realism stakes next to PES is really unfair IMO. In FIFA NG, offline, players feel and act more individual, passing is better, shooting is better, keepers are better, there's a much greater variety of goals, shielding mechanics in FIFA are better, impact engine is better (at least the ball in FIFA doesn't travel occasionally through solid objects - I once scored a goal in PES 2014 that went in through the outside of the post and into the net), and the opponent AI is on a whole new level in FIFA NG. The AI's off-the-ball runs and ability to keep the ball is miles ahead of any football game I've ever played.
Just my two cents worth