It's 2026, and as I sit down for another session of EA Sports FC 25, I can't help but reflect on the whirlwind that was the Ultimate Succession promo. Remember Black Friday's Thunderstruck cards? Those were impressive, but Ultimate Succession felt like the developers were handing us a piece of footballing history. The hype was real, and for good reason. Securing these top-tier cards without a mountain of coins or divine pack luck felt like a near-impossible dream. But let me tell you, if you were one of the lucky few to pack one of these legends from a player pick, your entire Ultimate Team experience was about to be transformed. The question is, were they truly worth the chase? Let me share my experience with the very best of them.
8. Marcus Thuram – The Unstoppable Force
My journey began with Marcus Thuram. If you thought his Serie A POTM card was good, this Ultimate Succession version was on another planet. His price on the Transfer Market was astronomical, a true testament to his in-game power. Once I finally managed to add him to my starting eleven, the game changed. His Role++ in both False Nine and Advanced Forward meant I had tactical flexibility I never had before. His combination of blistering Pace and dominant Physical stats made him an absolute nightmare for defenders. Trying to muscle him off the ball? Forget about it. He wasn't just a striker; he was a battering ram with finesse.
7. Sandro Tonali – The Midfield Maestro
Next up was Sandro Tonali. He was a rock at the start of FC 25, and this card brought him right back into the meta. He isn't the flashiest player—you won't be pulling off five-star skill moves with him—but what he offers is priceless consistency. Deploying him as my Deep-Lying Playmaker was a revelation. He dictated the tempo, broke up attacks, and distributed the ball with serene calm. He became the essential, unsung hero in my midfield, the cog that made the whole machine work smoothly.
6. Lamine Yamal – The Dazzling Prodigy
Then there was Lamine Yamal. His gold card was okay, but this? This was the card that finally did justice to his real-world talent. The boost was significant, but the real game-changer was the Trivela PlayStyle Plus. Scoring outrageous outside-the-foot shots became a regular occurrence. Of course, his physicality remained a weakness. Using him meant mastering the art of evasion. I had to take full advantage of his Skill Moves, dancing around defenders before they could get close. It was high-risk, high-reward football at its most exhilarating.
5. Alessandro Del Piero – The Clinical Artist
Moving into the Icons, Alessandro Del Piero was a masterpiece. A +1 overall boost on his already lethal base Icon card made him a finisher of the highest order. Playing him as a Shadow Striker was pure joy. He lurked around the edge of the box like a predator, always ready to unleash a devastating Finesse Shot or play a killer pass. While Finesse Shot Plus wasn't the automatic goal button it was in FC 24, it still guaranteed a shot that was both swift and precise. He wasn't just a CAM; he was a footballing artist with a complete toolkit.
4. Lionel Messi – The Meta-Relevant King
Speaking of artists, Lionel Messi's Ultimate Succession card brought him back to the forefront of the meta. His attributes were sublime, capable of playing as an Inside Forward or a Shadow Striker. But here was the catch: getting him on full chemistry was a puzzle. Without a squad built around Icons, Heroes, or top Argentinians, you'd be sacrificing his full potential. However, for those who could solve the chemistry puzzle, they were rewarded with the magic of Messi in his prime, weaving through defenses once more.
3. Kaká – The Plug-and-Play Perfection
If Messi's chemistry was a puzzle, Kaká was the simple, elegant solution. He offered everything you'd want from a CAM: dazzling five-star skills, visionary passing, and clinical finishing. While perhaps not as positionally flexible as Messi, he more than made up for it by slotting effortlessly into any starting eleven. No complicated links, no chemistry headaches. Just pure, unadulterated footballing brilliance that elevated the entire team. For sheer ease of use and top-tier performance, Kaká was arguably the most practical Icon in the promo.
2. Paolo Maldini – The Defensive God
What can be said about Paolo Maldini that hasn't been said a thousand times before? In real life, he's a legend. In FC 25, he was a cheat code. This card solidified his status as the virtual game's best defender. His four-star weak foot was a luxury rarely seen in a center-back, allowing for confident build-up play from the back. And if you were in a pinch, you could even shift him to left-back without a significant drop in performance. Having Maldini in your backline wasn't just a tactical choice; it was a statement of defensive intent.
1. Ronaldinho – The Ultimate Joy
And then, we have number one. Ronaldinho. Much like Maldini, his name alone inspires awe. Looking at his attributes was one thing; playing with him was another. The sheer joy this card brought was unmatched. Whether I used him as a Wide Playmaker on the left or a central Playmaker at CAM, he was the heartbeat of my attack. The Trickster+ PlayStyle was just pure fun, letting me pull off audacious moves, while his base PlayStyles like Finesse Shot and Technical made every touch, every pass, and every shot feel magical. He wasn't just the best card in the Ultimate Succession promo; he was a reminder of why we all fell in love with football in the first place.
| Player | Club/Type | Key Strength | Best Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus Thuram | Lombardia FC | Pace & Physicality | False Nine / Advanced Forward |
| Sandro Tonali | Newcastle | Well-Rounded Control | Deep-Lying Playmaker |
| Lamine Yamal | FC Barcelona | Trivela & Dribbling | Elusive Winger |
| Alessandro Del Piero | Icon | Finesse & Positioning | Shadow Striker |
| Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | Playmaking & Dribbling | Inside Forward / CAM |
| Kaká | Icon | Five-Star Skills & Links | Central Attacking Midfielder |
| Paolo Maldini | Icon | Defensive AI & Passing | Center-Back |
| Ronaldinho | Icon | Fun Factor & Versatility | Wide Playmaker / CAM |
Looking back from 2026, the Ultimate Succession promo stands out as a golden moment in EA FC 25. It wasn't just about boosted stats; it was about capturing the essence of these players. From Thuram's brute force to Ronaldinho's beautiful chaos, each card told a story. They were incredibly difficult to obtain, but for those who did, they provided some of the most memorable moments the game had to offer. So, was it worth the grind? For the sheer joy of playing with these legends, my answer is a resounding yes. 🏆⚽
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