Claudia Pina 87: the pro player's secret weapon?

Claudia Pina is breaking the FC 26 competitive meta in ways nobody expected. This 87-rated Cornerstones card at 1.49M coins isn't just another women's footballer card - she's genuinely competing with and often outperforming premium male strikers like Mbappé in Weekend League and pro tournaments. With 89 finishing, 93 long shots, EXPLOSIVE AcceleRATE, and a perfect 5-star weak foot, Pina is being used by professional players as their main striker despite her LW card face. The question isn't whether she's good - it's whether anything at this price point can match her clinical reliability in the final third.

In-game feel & playstyle

Claudia Pina feels like a cheat code in tight spaces. Her EXPLOSIVE AcceleRATE type combined with 81 acceleration and 81 sprint speed gives her that instant burst of pace that leaves defenders flat-footed in the box. At 160cm tall, she has an incredibly low center of gravity that makes her dribbling feel glued to her feet - 89 ball control and 89 dribbling with 85 agility and 86 balance create that Messi-like body feint animation that's nearly impossible to defend.

What sets Pina apart from other agile attackers is her finishing consistency. With 89 finishing, 88 positioning, and 86 reactions, she's always in the right place at the right time, and she rarely misses when through on goal. The 93 long shots stat is game-breaking - she can score from anywhere inside 25 yards with power or finesse. Her 87 shot power ensures keepers don't have time to react, while her 90 volleys make her lethal on cutbacks and crosses despite her height.

The 5-star weak foot is the cherry on top. You genuinely cannot tell which foot she's shooting with - both feet finish with the same power and accuracy. This unpredictability makes her nearly impossible to defend in the box because opponents can't force her onto a weaker side. Her 4-star skills give you enough trickery for Weekend League without being skill-move dependent, and her 82 composure means she stays calm under pressure in clutch moments.

Strengths

• EXPLOSIVE AcceleRATE + agility (85) and balance (86) - That instant burst of pace combined with elite body control makes her untouchable in tight spaces. She accelerates faster than most defenders can react, creating separation in the box where games are won. This is why pros prefer her over taller, stronger strikers - she dominates the 18-yard box meta.
• Perfect 5-star weak foot with elite finishing (89) - You can shoot with complete confidence on either foot. 89 finishing with 5-star weak foot means every 1v1 is a guaranteed goal if you time it right. Defenders can't force her onto a weaker side, making her unpredictable and clinical.
• Game-breaking long shots (93) and shot power (87) - The 93 long shots stat is one of the highest in the game. She scores finesses from 25+ yards consistently, and her 87 shot power means driven shots from outside the box go top bins. This range threat opens up the entire final third.
• Elite positioning (88) and reactions (86) - She's always making intelligent runs behind the defense. 88 positioning means she finds pockets of space automatically, and 86 reactions help her latch onto loose balls and rebounds before defenders can clear them. AI-controlled runs are top tier.
• Glued dribbling (89) with low center of gravity - At 160cm with 89 ball control and 89 dribbling, the ball literally sticks to her feet. Defenders bounce off her during skill moves, and her left-stick dribbling feels responsive and precise. Perfect for tight spaces in Weekend League.
• Clinical volleys (90) and curve (83) - Despite being 160cm, her 90 volleys stat makes her lethal on cutbacks and crosses. She finishes difficult chances that most players miss, and her 83 curve adds bend to finesses and outside-foot shots.
• Excellent passing (88 short passing, 86 vision) - She's not just a finisher - she can create for others. 88 short passing makes her reliable in buildup play, and 86 vision means she spots runs and through balls that less intelligent attackers miss.
• Alternative position versatility (LW, LM, ST) - Listed as LW but plays ST perfectly. You can use her across multiple formations and positions without losing effectiveness, giving you tactical flexibility in-game.

Weaknesses

• Height (160cm) causes issues on goal kicks and high crosses - At 160cm with 71 heading accuracy and 72 jumping, she loses every aerial duel against tall center backs. Don't expect her to win headers on goal kicks or corners - you need to play through the ground with her.
• Below-average stamina (77) for 90-minute performances - With 77 stamina, she starts feeling sluggish around the 70th minute in Weekend League matches, especially if you use constant pressure tactics. You'll likely need to sub her off in extra time or have a super-sub ready.
• Low strength (70) gets bullied by physical defenders - 70 strength means players like Rüdiger, Saliba, and Van Dijk can push her off the ball easily in 50/50 situations. You need to rely on her agility and pace to avoid physical battles rather than winning them.
• Work rates not displayed (unknown pressing behavior) - The database doesn't show her attacking/defensive work rates, which makes it harder to predict her positioning and stamina drain. This uncertainty can be frustrating when setting custom tactics.
• Price (1.49M) is steep for a women's footballer card - At 1.49M coins, she's competing with Icons and top-tier meta cards. If you're on a budget or don't play Weekend League competitively, this investment might not make sense when cheaper alternatives exist.
• Zero defensive contribution (46 defending, 38 interceptions) - With 46 defending and 38 interceptions, she offers absolutely nothing when you're defending. If you play formations that require forwards to press and track back, she's a liability off the ball.

Best position, chemistry style & squads

Position: Play her at striker in a 4-2-3-1, 4-1-2-1-2 narrow, or 4-4-2. Despite being a LW card, her stats scream striker - 89 finishing, 88 positioning, and EXPLOSIVE pace are wasted out wide. Use her as the main goal-scorer with a target man or creative CAM behind her. If you must play wingers, use her at LW but set instructions to "Get In Behind" and "Cut Inside" so she drifts centrally.

Chemistry Style: Engine is the best choice. It boosts her agility to 92, balance to 93, short passing to 93, and vision to 91 while pushing dribbling stats into the 90s. This makes her even more untouchable in tight spaces and improves her passing for link-up play. Alternative: Hawk if you want to max out her pace (86/86) and shooting (94 finishing, 92 shot power), but you lose the agility boost that makes her unique.

Squad Fits: Linking Pina is challenging but manageable. She's Spanish from Liga F (Spanish women's league) and plays for Barcelona. Your best green link is Aitana Bonmatí (another Barcelona/Spain women's player), but that forces you into a women's-only squad. For hybrid squads, use Spanish Icons like Fernando Torres or Luis Enrique, or LaLiga Spanish players like Gavi, Pedri, or Dani Olmo. Perfect link to Barcelona players like Lewandowski or Raphinha. Alternatively, just accept the orange link at striker and surround her with strong links in midfield - her stats justify playing on 7-8 chemistry.

Community opinion & what FUT players are saying

The Weekend League community is divided on Claudia Pina, but the competitive opinion is crystal clear: she's one of the most reliable strikers in FC 26. Pro players and Elite division grinders consistently praise her clinical finishing in tight spaces, with many claiming she outperforms Mbappé inside the box because of her low center of gravity and perfect weak foot. The phrase you'll hear most often is "she just doesn't miss" - her combination of positioning, finishing, and 5-star weak foot makes her one of the most consistent goal-scorers in the game.

The main criticism from the community is her price tag and perceived "women's card tax." Many casual players can't justify spending 1.49M on a 160cm women's footballer when alternatives like Mbappé, Messi, or male Icons exist at similar prices. However, competitive players who've actually used her argue the opposite - she's worth every coin because she performs at a level that few cards at this price can match. The height and stamina issues are real concerns mentioned in community forums, but most agree these weaknesses are easily manageable if you adjust your playstyle.

YouTube content creators like CesarOne have featured Pina in comparison videos, often using her as the benchmark for other elite strikers. The consensus among reviewers is that she's a "hidden gem" in the pro meta - not as hyped as flashy Icons, but statistically and performance-wise, she's top tier. Community quotes reflect this split: hardcore Weekend League players swear by her, while casual players remain skeptical until they try her themselves.

Final verdict & ratings

Claudia Pina is not for everyone, but for competitive Weekend League players who value clinical finishing and agility over physicality, she's one of the best strikers in FC 26. Period.

Who should buy:

• Weekend League grinders who need a reliable finisher in tight spaces
• Players who prioritize agility and low center of gravity over height and strength
• Anyone struggling to finish 1v1s - her 5-star weak foot and 89 finishing solve that problem
• Competitive players willing to pay premium prices for meta performance
• Spanish/LaLiga/Barcelona squad builders looking for an elite striker link

Who should skip:

• Casual players who don't play Weekend League competitively - she's overkill for Squad Battles
• Players on a budget under 2M total coins - she's 1.49M and requires quality links
• Anyone who relies on target man strikers and aerial play - she loses every header
• Players who need 90-minute stamina without subs - 77 stamina requires management
• Those who can't accept women's footballer cards regardless of stats

Our ratings:

• Meta rating: 17.5/20 - Elite finishing, EXPLOSIVE pace, 5-star weak foot, and perfect positioning make her a top-tier meta striker. Only loses points for height, stamina, and strength issues that limit her to specific playstyles. In the right hands, she's 18.5+/20.
• Fun rating: 18/20 - Incredibly satisfying to use. Her dribbling feels buttery smooth, her finishing is clinical, and scoring long shots from 30 yards never gets old. 4-star skills give you enough creativity, and the 5-star weak foot adds unpredictability. Only downside is stamina management late in games.
• Value for coins: 15/20 - At 1.49M, she's expensive but justified for competitive players. She performs like a 2M+ Icon striker, but the women's card stigma and linking challenges lower her perceived value. If you play Weekend League seriously, she's worth it. If you're casual, there are cheaper alternatives.

Conclusion