In the ever-evolving landscape of EA Sports FC 25 Ultimate Team, the introduction of the Ballon d'Or Winner: Rodri Evolution marks a pivotal moment for midfield strategists. Celebrating the real-world achievement of Rodri's Ballon d'Or triumph, this specialized Evolution offers a transformative path for defensive midfielders, sculpting them into more versatile and potent assets on the virtual pitch. Unlike standard upgrades, this program injects a unique tactical identity into eligible players by granting them the coveted Tiki Taka PlayStyle+, fundamentally altering how they dictate play. However, this power comes at a premium cost of 80,000 coins or 1,100 FC Points, making the choice of which midfielder to evolve a critical strategic decision. Eligible candidates must meet specific criteria: a maximum overall rating of 83, a physical rating cap of 87, and, most importantly, the Defensive Midfielder (CDM) position. For managers willing to invest, the reward is a cadre of midfielders whose upgraded statistics read like a blueprint for control, turning the center of the park into a fortress of possession and a launchpad for attacks.
7. Kobbie Mainoo
Emerging as one of the game's brightest young talents, Kobbie Mainoo's evolution under this program transforms his potential into immediate, tangible threat. His card receives a monumental boost to its defensive core, rendering him an immovable object in the midfield, akin to a suddenly grown, ancient oak tree whose roots have intertwined with the very foundations of the pitch. His new statistical profile is impressive: 86 Physicality, 86 Defending, 82 Passing, 82 Dribbling, 80 Pace, and 75 Shooting, complemented by 3-star Skill Moves and Weak Foot. The addition of the Tiki Taka PlayStyle+ is the masterstroke, allowing him to execute crisp, first-time ground passes that can slice through defensive lines, particularly lethal when transitioning from defense to a swift counter-attack.
6. Manu Koné
The French dynamo, Manu Koné, sees his base card catapulted into a new realm of all-around excellence. His evolved iteration boasts the coveted distinction of having every single core rating at 80 or above, a hallmark of a truly complete midfielder. This statistical symmetry grants him remarkable positional fluidity; he can orchestrate play from a central midfield role with his enhanced attacking metrics, yet drop back as a defensive shield without compromising effectiveness. His game intelligence is amplified, enabling him to control the tempo like a master conductor who can simultaneously read the score of the attack and the defense. Paired with the Tiki Taka trait, Koné becomes the perfect hub for maintaining possession and initiating rapid, precise counter-attacks with one-touch passes.
5. Andrey Santos
Andrey Santos's Inform card receives the Evolution treatment, propelling him into the conversation for one of the game's premier defensive midfielders. His upgraded card is a specialist's dream, engineered to snuff out danger before it even materializes. Managers can entrust him with the sole duty of shielding the backline, as his heightened anticipation and interception skills act as a preemptive shield. His standout ratings post-evolution are nothing short of elite:
-
96 Jumping
-
93 Short Passing
-
90 Long Passing
-
89 Positioning
-
87 Vision
This combination of aerial dominance and pinpoint distribution makes him a unique two-phase weapon, capable of winning the ball and instantly transitioning play.
4. Lo'eau LaBonta
Lo'eau LaBonta stands out as one of the most formidable female players eligible for this Evolution. Deploying her evolved card in a defensive role significantly bolsters any squad's resilience. Her greatest strength lies in her footballing intellect—an uncanny ability to anticipate an opponent's next move, which, combined with a formidable tackle success rate, fortifies the defensive line. Her versatility is a key asset; she is equally effective as a pure CDM or a box-to-box Central Midfielder. Furthermore, her card is blessed with a rich tapestry of PlayStyles beyond Tiki Taka, including Anticipate+, Flair, Press Proven, Relentless, Bruiser, and Long Ball Pass, making her a multifaceted tactical tool.
3. Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones's evolved card bridges the gap between promising talent and established world-class caliber. He embodies the modern, complete midfielder who can dictate the flow of a match while simultaneously being a direct threat in the final third. His ability to pivot from controller to contributor in dangerous counter-attacks creates a constant stream of goal-scoring opportunities for his team. His post-Evolution statistics are remarkably balanced and potent:
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Physicality | 86 |
| Defending | 86 |
| Passing | 84 |
| Dribbling | 84 |
| Pace | 80 |
| Shooting | 80 |
| Skill Moves | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Weak Foot | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
With this profile, he effectively gives a manager three players in one: a capable defensive midfielder, a dynamic central midfielder, and a supporting attacking midfielder.
2. Ismaël Bennacer
Ismaël Bennacer is widely regarded as one of the most gifted midfielders not just in Serie A, but in the entire game. His evolved card justifies this reputation with its sheer versatility and intellectual prowess. He can be deployed anywhere across the midfield strata with absolute confidence, backed by stats that excel in every facet. His hallmarks are the mental attributes: composure, vision, anticipation, and an elite ability to read the unfolding game. His upgraded numbers are formidable—86 Physicality, 86 Defending, 84 Passing, 85 Dribbling, 80 Pace, and 80 Shooting. He is further enhanced by a suite of PlayStyles including Tiki Taka, Incisive Pass, Bruiser, Technical, and Long Ball Pass, making him a chess grandmaster who operates three moves ahead of the opponent, using the entire midfield as his board.
1. Yunus Musah
Topping the list for the Ballon d'Or Winner: Rodri Evolution is the immensely promising Yunus Musah. His card emerges as the most complete package, boasting exceptional attacking and defending attributes that unlock a wide array of positional options, from central midfielder to wide midfielder. His blend of technical skill and imposing physical presence allows him to proactively dispossess opponents, halting attacks before they reach the defensive line. His evolution yields a standout stat line: a blistering 88 Pace, 86 Physicality, 86 Defending, 79 Passing, 82 Dribbling, and 77 Shooting, with 4-star Skill Moves. Crucially, his card is defined by multiple dynamic PlayStyles+ roles: Holding+, Half-Winger+, Wide Midfielder+, and Deep-Lying Playmaker+. These roles synergize to allow the young talent to perform tremendously across the midfield, adapting his game to the immediate needs of his team and establishing him as the Evolution's crown jewel for 2026.
Comments