EA Sports has officially confirmed the long-awaited return of Diego Maradona to Ultimate Team. Following leaks and speculation, the legendary Argentine icon will once again be playable in FC 25. However, significant questions remain regarding how players will be able to access his card. Will he be obtainable through SBCs, or will he be an ultra-rare, high-priced card on the market? The hype surrounding his return suggests that his card will carry immense value, potentially making it one of the most sought-after items in the game.
Market Reactions and Grassroots Greats Promo Leaks
The upcoming Grassroots Greats promo introduces a variety of new cards, coinciding with Maradona’s Fc 25 debut. Recent leaks indicate that the game will feature additional legends such as Roberto Baggio, Johan Micoud, Ludovic Giuly, Youri Djorkaeff, and Franck Ribéry. The promo’s structure is still unknown, but historical trends suggest it could be an all-icon and hero event similar to Trophy Titans from FIFA 23.
The anticipation of this promo has already caused fluctuations in the market. Certain icon and hero cards are seeing a decline in value due to the potential influx of new high-rated cards. A prime example is Jaap Stam, whose price has already dropped from 1.1 million to just over a million coins. Players holding onto high-tier heroes and icons should proceed with caution, as past promotions have shown that newer versions of icons tend to push their older counterparts’ prices down significantly.
SBCs, Evolutions, and Potential Diego Maradona Access
Many fans are hopeful that EA will provide a way for all players to experience Maradona in-game. There is speculation regarding a possible loan version of his card, similar to the 20-game loan options given for Xabi Alonso and other stars in the past. However, a fully obtainable version of Diego Maradona through an SBC remains uncertain. If such an SBC does arrive, it would undoubtedly require a significant investment, given the historic demand for his card.
Alongside Maradona’s return, the final stage of the Future Stars Academy Evolutions has been released, introducing additional chemistry upgrades and stat boosts for various players. Key stats such as composure and reactions appear to have varied significantly across different cards, making some more viable than others in competitive play. Players are encouraged to finalize their Evolutions carefully, ensuring they select the best upgrades for their squad needs.
As the Grassroots Greats promo approaches, market fluctuations are inevitable. Some traders have taken advantage of recent swings, with notable successful trades including an Allan Shearer flip from 330,000 to 390,000 coins. The upcoming promo will likely provide further buying opportunities, as some high-value cards drop in price before the new content arrives.
Investments in mid-tier meta cards such as Vitinha and Rüdiger have also proven fruitful, with their values rising steadily ahead of the promo. However, players should remain vigilant regarding leaks, as any confirmation of new overpowered icons or heroes could lead to a broader market dip.
Maradona Card Ratings and Playstyle Speculations
Leaks indicate that Maradona’s Grassroots Greats card will have a 96 overall rating, featuring 92 pace, 92 shooting, and 95 dribbling. If accurate, this rating aligns with his previous mid-icon card from FIFA 22, reinforcing expectations that he will be one of the highest-rated icons in the game.
Speculation surrounds his PlayStyle+ abilities, with finesse shot+ being mentioned. However, many expect him to receive technical+ or trickster+ to better reflect his real-life dribbling and creativity. Some humorous speculation has even suggested EA could assign him a goalkeeper playstyle for banter, referencing his infamous “Hand of God” moment.
The Future of Icons and Heroes in Ultimate Team
With Grassroots Greats seemingly focused on icons and heroes, the impact on the meta could be substantial. If the promo follows previous examples, it may introduce highly accessible icons and heroes, potentially shifting team compositions dramatically.
Players looking to make the most of the market should keep an eye on further leaks and content drops from EA, as more details about the promo will shape trading strategies leading up to its launch.
