Núñez 87 turned my weekend league around

Darwin Núñez's 87 FC Pro Live card has become one of the most popular strikers in FC 26, and for good reason. At 375,000 coins, this Uruguayan target man offers a deadly combination of 90 pace, 187cm LENGTHY body type, and 95 shot power that makes him a nightmare for defenders in Weekend League. With 88 positioning, 84 finishing, and 95 jumping, he's the ultimate aerial and ground threat. But does his 3-star weak foot and 75 agility hold him back from true elite status?

In-game feel & playstyle

Núñez feels like an absolute tank on the pitch thanks to his LENGTHY AcceleRATE type and 187cm frame. Once he gets moving, his 91 sprint speed makes him nearly impossible to catch, especially when running in behind defenses. The 88 acceleration feels responsive for his size, though you'll notice he's not as explosive off the mark as smaller strikers with Explosive acceleration. His 83 strength allows him to hold off most center backs, and the 95 jumping combined with 86 heading accuracy makes him dominant on corners and crosses. The physicality (84 face stats with 86 aggression) means he bullies defenders throughout the 90 minutes. However, the 75 agility and 76 balance are noticeable when trying to turn in tight spaces or execute quick direction changes. He's not a skill-spam dribbler—this is a direct, powerful striker who excels at running channels, holding up play, and finishing chances with authority. His 84 composure keeps him calm in front of goal, but the 3-star weak foot means you need to get on his right foot for consistent finishing.

Strengths

• Elite pace for his body type (90 overall, 91 sprint speed) - The combination of LENGTHY acceleration and 91 sprint speed makes Núñez incredibly effective at getting in behind defensive lines. Once he's clear, no one catches him. This pace is exceptional for a 187cm striker with his physical presence.
• Devastating shot power (95) - His shots genuinely feel different. That 95 shot power means low-driven shots and power shots rocket into the net from anywhere inside the box. Combined with 82 long shots, he can score from distance when given space.
• Dominant in the air (95 jumping, 86 heading accuracy) - Núñez wins nearly every aerial duel. Corners and crosses become genuine goal-scoring opportunities with him in the box. The 187cm height plus elite jumping stats make him the best aerial threat under 500K.
• Excellent positioning (88) - His AI runs are fantastic. He constantly finds space in the box and makes well-timed runs in behind. You don't need to manually control him much—he positions himself perfectly for through balls and cutbacks.
• Strong on the ball (83 strength, 84 physicality) - Can hold off defenders while shielding the ball, making him effective at target man play. The 86 aggression means he fights for every ball and doesn't get bullied by meta defenders.
• 4-star skills - Having 4-star skills opens up essential moves like ball roll scoop, elastico, and McGeady spin. This adds enough unpredictability to beat defenders in 1v1 situations despite his lower agility.
• Decent dribbling stats for his size (83 ball control, 85 dribbling) - While not elite, these stats are good enough for his playstyle. He can carry the ball forward and won't lose possession easily with proper shielding.
• LENGTHY body type + height combination - The meta heavily favors LENGTHY strikers, and at 187cm with elite pace, Núñez perfectly fits the current gameplay mechanics. He outpaces defenders in foot races consistently.

Weaknesses

• 3-star weak foot is a major limitation - You absolutely must get him on his right foot for consistent finishing. Left-footed shots are noticeably weaker and less accurate. This predictability allows experienced defenders to force him onto his weak side.
• Low agility and balance (75/76) - Turning and close-control dribbling feel clunky compared to smaller strikers. He struggles in tight spaces and can't execute quick turns or rapid direction changes. If you like to skill spam or play tiki-taka, he'll frustrate you.
• Not great at creating his own chances - Due to the agility/balance weaknesses, he relies heavily on service. He needs good passers behind him to unlock his potential. Solo dribbling through multiple defenders isn't his game.
• 84 composure is decent but not elite - In high-pressure situations (Weekend League close games), you'll occasionally notice rushed shots or slightly off finishing. Elite strikers have 90+ composure for a reason.
• Stamina can be an issue (81) - If you play constant pressure or aggressive tactics, he'll be gassed by the 70th minute. You might need a super sub ready for extra time in tight matches.
• Passing is just okay (80 face stats) - With 82 short passing and 76 long passing, he's functional in buildup but won't thread perfect through balls. Don't rely on him as a playmaker in 2-striker formations.
• Price volatility concern - At 375K, he's in a tricky price bracket. FC Pro Live cards can fluctuate based on real-world performance, and better Icons/special cards constantly release. His value retention is uncertain.

Best position, chemistry style & squads

Position: Lone striker in 4-3-3 (2) or 4-2-3-1 formations works best. Use him as the focal point with wingers and a CAM providing service. In 4-4-2 or 4-1-2-1-2 (2), he works as the target man striker paired with a smaller, more agile partner. His High/Medium work rates (assumed) mean he stays forward and doesn't track back unnecessarily.

Chemistry Style: Engine is the best choice to boost the weak areas. Engine adds +5 to pace (maxing acceleration at 93), +10 agility (bringing it to 85), +10 balance (86), +5 dribbling stats, and +10 passing. This makes him significantly more agile and responsive while maintaining his physical dominance. Alternative: Marksman if you want to maximize shooting (99 shot power, 89 finishing) and further boost physical stats, but you'll sacrifice agility improvements. Avoid Hunter—his pace is already excellent, and you need dribbling boosts more than extra pace.

Squad Fits: Linking Núñez is challenging but manageable. He's from Uruguay (nation), Al Hilal (club), and Roshn Saudi League (league). Best links: Pair him with Icons for easy chemistry, use Premier League Uruguayans like Federico Valverde or Luis Suárez cards, or build a Saudi Pro League hybrid with players like Neymar or Al-Dawsari. For budget squads, strong link him with Al Hilal teammates or use Uruguayan Icons like Diego Forlán. His unique links require planning but are worth the effort for his in-game performance.

Community opinion & what FUT players are saying

The FUT community is split on Núñez but leans positive. Weekend League grinders praise his effectiveness in the current meta, with many saying he's the best sub-500K striker for direct play. Players love his combination of pace, power, and physicality, noting he consistently wins games through headers, power shots, and sheer bulldozing ability. The LENGTHY body type gets constant praise as perfectly suited to FC 26 gameplay mechanics. However, the 3-star weak foot generates significant criticism—competitive players note that elite opponents easily defend him by forcing him onto his left. The low agility also frustrates skill move enthusiasts who prefer more responsive dribbling. Common sentiment: "He's not the most fun or skillful striker, but he wins games." Many compare him favorably to cheaper alternatives like Haaland, citing better overall balance of stats. Some traders warn about his price stability due to FC Pro Live volatility. Overall, if you play counter-attacking, direct football, the community rates him highly. If you prefer possession-based, skill-heavy play, they suggest looking elsewhere.

Final verdict & ratings

Who should buy and who should skip this card.

Who should buy:

• Weekend League players who favor direct, counter-attacking football and need a reliable finisher who fits the LENGTHY meta
• Squad builders looking for the best striker under 500K with elite physical presence, pace, and aerial dominance for their main team
• Players who cross frequently or utilize target man tactics—his heading and hold-up play justify the price alone
• Anyone struggling against drop-back defenses who needs a striker capable of bullying center backs and winning physical duels consistently

Who should skip:

• Skill move enthusiasts and players who rely on agile dribbling, quick turns, and 5-star skills—his 75 agility and 4-star skills won't satisfy you
• Players who need versatile forwards with strong weak foot—the 3-star left foot is genuinely limiting in high-level competitive play
• Budget-conscious traders worried about price drops—FC Pro Live cards are volatile, and better special cards release constantly
• Possession players who want their striker involved in buildup—his 80 passing and lower technical stats aren't suited for intricate play

Our ratings:

• Meta rating: 16.5/20 - Perfectly suited to the current LENGTHY meta with elite pace, physicality, and finishing. The 3-star weak foot and lower agility prevent him from being top-tier elite (18+), but he's undeniably effective in Weekend League at his price point.
• Fun rating: 14.0/20 - He's functional and effective rather than exciting. Scoring headers and power shots is satisfying, but the clunky dribbling and weak foot limitations make him less enjoyable than more complete attackers. Best for players who value winning over flashy gameplay.
• Value for coins: 17.0/20 - At 375K, he offers excellent value for what you get. Comparing him to similar strikers (Haaland base cards, other LENGTHY forwards), he provides top-tier pace-power-physicality combo. The FC Pro Live dynamic potential adds upside if Al Hilal performs well. Excellent value for competitive players.

Conclusion