Eusébio 92: is the Black Panther still meta?

At 5.45 million coins, Eusébio's 92 Thunderstruck ICON represents one of the most expensive strikers in FC 26. The Portuguese legend arrives with absolutely stacked offensive stats: 94 positioning, 93 finishing, 94 long shots, 93 shot power, and a perfect 5-star weak foot. Combined with 95 dribbling, 93 agility, and 93 pace, this card looks like the complete attacking package on paper. But in a meta dominated by cheaper alternatives like Mbappé, R9, and various TOTW strikers, does the Black Panther still deserve elite status, or is this an overpriced nostalgia trip?

In-game feel & playstyle

Eusébio feels incredibly responsive in-game thanks to his elite body type and movement stats. With 93 agility, 91 balance, and 93 reactions, he turns on a dime and responds instantly to directional changes. The 95 dribbling stat isn't just for show - left stick dribbling feels silky smooth, and he glides past defenders in tight spaces with ease. His 92 acceleration gets him to top speed quickly, though the 93 sprint speed means he won't outpace Lengthy defenders in foot races.

The standout feature is undoubtedly his shooting. That 5-star weak foot combined with 93 composure means he genuinely has no weak side - finesse shots curl identically from both feet, and power shots are equally lethal. The 94 positioning stat is noticeable; he makes intelligent runs into the box and finds pockets of space that other strikers miss. His 4-star skills give you enough versatility for ball rolls and La Croqueta cancels, though you won't be chaining ElasticoS like with 5-star skillers.

Where you'll notice issues is in physical battles. At only 73 strength, he gets bullied off the ball by meta center backs like Rüdiger, Van Dijk, or Saliba. The 78 physicality face stat is misleading - in reality, he plays more like a finesse dribbler than a power striker. His 90 heading accuracy is excellent, but without the strength or jumping (87) to consistently win aerial duels, he's not a target man option.

Strengths

• Perfect 5-star weak foot with elite shooting stats - This is the main selling point. 93 finishing, 94 long shots, and 93 shot power mean he scores from anywhere with either foot. Finesse shots feel broken, and his shot accuracy is remarkably consistent even under pressure.
• 95 dribbling with 93 agility makes him incredibly agile - Left stick dribbling is elite tier. He changes direction faster than most defenders can react, making him perfect for cutting inside from wide positions or navigating crowded penalty areas.
• 94 positioning is Weekend League tier - His AI-controlled movement is excellent. He times runs perfectly, finds gaps between center backs, and positions himself for tap-ins and cutbacks without manual instructions.
• 93 composure keeps him calm in clutch moments - Green timed finishes feel more forgiving, and he rarely snatches at chances even when defenders are closing down. This makes a huge difference in high-pressure Weekend League scenarios.
• 93 reactions make his response time instant - Whether intercepting loose balls, adjusting to deflections, or reacting to through balls, his awareness feels top-tier. He capitalizes on defensive mistakes better than most strikers.
• 92 stamina means he lasts the full 90+ minutes - Rarely needs subbing off even with constant pressing and running. This is underrated value in extra time scenarios where fatigue affects most attackers.
• Icons links make squad building trivial - Perfect link to Portuguese players, and gives full chemistry regardless of league or nation. This flexibility alone saves millions in squad building costs.
• Excellent animations and player model - His unique body type and running style feel responsive and smooth. No clunky turning or heavy touches that plague some Icons.

Weaknesses

• Only 73 strength makes him vulnerable to body checks - Gets absolutely bullied by meta defenders. Van Dijk, Rüdiger, and even 84-rated center backs can push him off the ball easily. This is his biggest weakness and noticeably limits his effectiveness against good defenders.
• 5.45M price tag is extremely expensive - For context, Mid R9 costs around 6-7M and is clearly better. Base Cruyff, Pelé, and even Mbappé offer similar or better performance at significantly lower prices. The value proposition is questionable unless you're a Benfica fan or Portuguese team builder.
• No AcceleRATE data means uncertain sprint mechanic - Without knowing his AcceleRATE type, it's hard to optimize custom tactics. He likely runs Controlled based on stats, which means he gets caught by Lengthy defenders in long chases.
• 4-star skills limit skill move variety - You can't chain Elastico cancels or perform McGeady spins. Against elite defenders who manually defend, this limits your unpredictability compared to 5-star skillers like Neymar or Vini Jr.
• Work rates not listed creates tactical uncertainty - Unknown work rates make it difficult to predict his defensive contribution and attacking positioning without custom instructions. This is frustrating for a 5M+ card.
• 87 jumping isn't elite for headers - Combined with low strength, he loses most aerial battles against tall center backs. Don't expect him to be a crossing target despite the 90 heading accuracy.
• Better value alternatives exist at every price point - Base Cruyff (3.5M), TOTW Mbappé (2-3M), and even Hero cards like Di Natale offer comparable or better bang for buck. Unless you specifically need Portuguese links, there are smarter investments.

Best position, chemistry style & squads

Position: Lone striker (ST) in 4-3-3 variations or 4-2-3-1. His positioning and finishing are wasted in CAM or wide roles. Run him on "Get in Behind" and "Stay Central" instructions to maximize his intelligent runs and clinical finishing. In 4-4-2, pair him with a stronger, more physical striker to compensate for his lack of hold-up play.

Chemistry Style: Engine is the best choice. It boosts his already excellent agility and balance to near-max levels while improving passing stats for link-up play. The pace boost from Hunter is unnecessary since he already has 92 acceleration and 93 sprint speed. Marksman could work if you want to slightly improve his strength (up to ~78), but it's still not enough to win physical battles consistently. Avoid Hawk - the pace boost is wasted and the physicality increase is minimal.

Squad Fits: Icons links make him incredibly versatile, but he's perfect for Portuguese hybrids. Pair him with Bruno Fernandes at CAM, Bernardo Silva at CM, or Rúben Dias at CB for full chemistry. For Icon teams, link with Portuguese Icons like Luís Figo or Rui Costa. His Thunderstruck card design also fits aesthetically with other special cards if you're building a theme squad. The 5.45M investment makes most sense if you're running a full Portuguese/Benfica squad or already have elite Icons elsewhere.

Community opinion & what FUT players are saying

The Weekend League community is split on Eusébio's 92 card. Elite players praise his shooting consistency and 5-star weak foot, with many reporting 1+ goal contributions per game in Division 1 and Champions. His dribbling receives universal acclaim - players love how responsive he feels compared to clunkier Icons like Prime Stoichkov or Mid Van Basten. The perfect weak foot is frequently mentioned as a game-changer, making him unpredictable in the box.

However, the 5.45M price point generates significant criticism. Many players argue that Base Cruyff (3.5M) offers similar output with better dribbling and playmaking, while Mid R9 (6-7M) is worth the extra coins for superior physicality. The low strength stat is the most common complaint - Weekend League grinders report that good manual defenders exploit his physical weakness by simply body-checking him off the ball before he can shoot.

TOTW and Rivals players note he performs best against AI defending or average opponents who don't manually control CBs. Against elite defenders who jockey and body check, his effectiveness drops significantly. Some players recommend waiting for his Prime or Moments versions, which historically have higher strength stats. Overall, he's viewed as an excellent but overpriced striker who's more viable for casual/trading accounts than competitive value seekers.

Final verdict & ratings

Eusébio 92 Thunderstruck is an elite finisher with world-class dribbling and a perfect weak foot, but his 5.45M price tag doesn't reflect his in-game value compared to alternatives. He's a luxury purchase for collectors or Portuguese squad builders.

Who should buy:

• Players building Portuguese/Benfica squads who need elite Icon links
• Traders with 10M+ coin balances looking for endgame strikers
• Finesse shot specialists who value 5-star weak foot above all else
• Collectors who want the Thunderstruck promo aesthetic

Who should skip:

• Budget-conscious players - Base Cruyff, TOTW Mbappé, or Hero Di Natale offer better value
• Anyone who needs a physical hold-up striker - 73 strength is a dealbreaker
• Players expecting Prime R9 level dominance - he's excellent but not game-breaking
• Those who can wait - his Prime/Moments will likely have better stats for similar price

Our ratings:

• Meta rating: 16.5/20 - Elite shooting and dribbling held back by low strength and questionable value. Competitive in Division 1 but not top-tier dominant.
• Fun rating: 18/20 - Incredibly satisfying to use. Smooth dribbling, clinical finishing, and the 5-star weak foot make every goal feel earned. Great for skill expression.
• Value for coins: 11/20 - At 5.45M, he's overpriced. Similar performance available for 2-3M less, or superior cards for 1-2M more. Only worth it for specific squad builds.

Conclusion