As the virtual stadium lights blaze in 2026, EA Sports FC 25 presents its most formidable assembly of football legends yet. The Ultimate Team mode is a theater of dreams where past and present collide, and at its heart are the Icons—players whose digital avatars carry the weight of their historic legacies. These aren't just cards with high stats; they are the keystones of chemistry, the architects of play, and often, the difference between a heartbreaking loss and a glorious victory. For any manager building a squad, securing even one of these titans can feel like discovering a hidden constellation in a familiar sky, a game-changing force that redefines your entire tactical universe.
🔟 10. Eusebio: The Phantom Striker
While building a starter team around him is a fantasy for most, Eusebio remains one of the game's most lethal finishers. His journey from a coveted SBC in FC 24 to a top-tier Icon in FC 25 has been one of consistency. Mastering him on the ball requires finesse, but his true genius lies off it. His off-the-ball AI is a masterpiece of predatory movement, gliding into spaces like a silent current finding its path through rock. With a blistering 92 Pace, 91 Dribbling, and 92 Shooting, he transforms into a finishing algorithm once inside the box. Though his only notable PlayStyle is Power Shot Plus, with Eusebio, every chance feels like a command to score.
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Weak Foot | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Skill Moves | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Key Strength | Off-the-ball movement & finishing |
9️⃣ 9. Paolo Maldini: The Immovable Object
On the opposite end of the pitch stands Paolo Maldini, the defensive sentinel. In a meta often dominated by unstoppable forwards, Maldini is the answer. His incredible awareness and defensive skills are like a master chess player seeing ten moves ahead, intercepting passes and making tackles seem preordained. While he can deputize at left back, Maldini performs best as a Stopper in the CB spot, where his presence alone can make an attack dissolve like sugar in water. He is the foundation upon which clean sheets are built.
8️⃣ 8. Bobby Charlton: The Cannon in Midfield
The idol of modern phenoms like Endrick, Sir Bobby Charlton's Icon card is a dynamic force. He may not quite match Eusebio's raw trio of Pace, Shooting, and Dribbling, but he compensates with superior passing abilities as well as the Power Shot PlayStyle Plus. His long-range strikes are legendary. His main drawback is a lack of physicality, making him a finesse player, but when he winds up for a shot, it's like watching a trebuchet launch—slow, deliberate, and devastatingly powerful.
7️⃣ 7. Johan Cruyff: The Dribbling Architect
Johan Cruyff is where artistry meets perfect stats. He is the first on this list with a perfect 5-star weak foot and 5-star skill moves, embodying the total football he pioneered. His card is a symphony of attributes: 90 Pace, 91 Shooting, 90 Passing, and 93 Dribbling. Deploy him as a Shadow Striker, and he becomes unpredictable, a maestro who can both compose the play and finish it. While he shares Charlton's slight frame, Cruyff's agility in escaping defenders is unparalleled, slithering through tackles like smoke through a keyhole.
6️⃣ 6. Mia Hamm: The Perfect Storm
Mia Hamm's debut in FC 24 was seismic, and her card in FC 25 continues that legacy. Boasting the perfect 5/5 combination, she is a versatile threat with either foot. Her most dangerous traits are her deceptive, explosive speed and an uncanny ability to score from seemingly impossible angles. She doesn't just attack; she haunts defensive lines, a persistent and elegant storm that can break through at any moment.
5️⃣ 5. Zinedine Zidane: The Cerebral Conductor
Zidane is not a player for frantic, pace-abusing tactics. He is the quintessential crafty, silky-smooth midfielder, a thinker on the pitch. He rewards vision, strategy, and skill. With his own 5/5 combo, he is among the game's best passers and dribblers. Using Zidane is like conducting a complex orchestra; the payoff for perfect execution is a masterpiece of attacking football.
4️⃣ 4. Ronaldo Nazário: The Extinct Phenomenon
The original R9 is nearly extinct on the market, a testament to his desirability and power. This Brazilian Icon is a pure, unadulterated scoring machine. Best used as an Advanced Forward to maximize his Role ++, he is worth reshaping your entire tactical approach. With him in the squad, scoring feels less like an achievement and more like a natural law. While skill dictates most outcomes, with Ronaldo, goals often feel inevitable.
3️⃣ 3. Pelé: The Attacking Maestro
As the highest-rated attacking midfielder among the Icons, Pelé's place near the summit is earned. His card is a thing of beauty, capable of carrying a team for an entire season. The only blemish is his 4-star weak foot, which just barely holds him back from the very top spot. Nevertheless, packing Pelé is a season-defining moment, securing a legendary playmaker whose vision and flair are timeless.
2️⃣ 2. Ruud Gullit: The Complete Equation
Ruud Gullit is the embodiment of a perfectly well-rounded player. Listed as a CAM, his versatility is his superpower. He can move up to the striker position, or sit a bit deeper as a true central midfielder. Wherever you deploy him, he performs at an exceptional level, though he truly excels as a CAM Shadow Striker. Gullit is the Swiss Army knife of Icons—a multi-tool that is often the best solution, no matter the problem.
1️⃣ 1. Ronaldinho: The Uncontainable Joy
Topping the list is the magician himself, Ronaldinho. While he shares Pelé's 4-star weak foot, he surpasses him with superior physicality and a unique, mesmerizing style. The key is to use his unique body type and dribbling skills to your advantage. Push Ronaldinho out onto the wing as a wide playmaker, and you unleash the most difficult player to defend in EA FC 25. He is not just a player; he is an experience—a burst of unpredictable, joyful football that can dismantle defenses with a smile. Defending against him is like trying to catch moonlight in your hands.
🏆 Final Whistle
In the dynamic ecosystem of EA FC 25's Ultimate Team, these Icons are more than just meta choices; they are legends reborn, each offering a unique key to victory. Whether it's the clinical precision of Eusebio, the defensive fortitude of Maldini, or the unplayable joy of Ronaldinho, securing one can transform your club's destiny. In 2026, the beautiful game's past continues to define its digital future.
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