Is Maldini 93 actually the GOAT CB?

Paolo Maldini's 93 Thunderstruck ICON card is one of the most hyped center backs in FC 26, and for good reason. With 96 defending, 86 pace, and a Lengthy AcceleRATE type on a 6'1" frame, this card has everything you'd want in an elite CB. The 97 standing tackle, 96 interceptions, 96 sliding tackle, and 95 defensive awareness make him an absolute wall at the back. But with only 3-star skills, 73 agility, and questionable value considering he's likely an SBC, does Maldini live up to the icon status, or are there better options for your coins?

In-game feel & playstyle

Maldini feels absolutely elite in-game thanks to his unique combination of stats. The Lengthy AcceleRATE type is perfect for a CB in FC 26's current meta, allowing him to catch up to explosive attackers once he gets moving. His 95 reactions and 95 composure mean he's always in the right position, automatically making interceptions that other defenders miss. The 186cm height combined with 84 jumping and 94 heading accuracy makes him dominant in the air - corners and crosses become significantly easier to defend.

What really stands out is his ball-playing ability. Unlike many pure destroyers, Maldini's 89 short passing, 81 long passing, and 74 ball control allow you to play out from the back confidently. The 95 composure means he never panics under pressure, and you can trust him to make the right pass even when pressed by multiple attackers. His 85 strength and 83 stamina ensure he dominates physically throughout the entire match, and the 4-star weak foot is a huge bonus for a CB.

However, the 73 agility and 76 balance are noticeable when trying to turn quickly against nimble attackers like Messi or Vinicius Jr. He's not slow to turn, but you'll definitely feel the difference compared to more agile defenders like Varane or Saliba. The 3-star skill moves also limit your options when dribbling out of trouble. That said, his defensive AI is so good that you rarely need to manually control him - just let the game do the work and he'll intercept everything.

Strengths

• Elite defensive stats across the board - 97 standing tackle, 96 interceptions, 96 sliding tackle, 95 def awareness, and 95 reactions make him intercept passes you didn't even see coming. He's a true defensive AI god who reads the game better than any other CB under 2 million coins.
• Perfect body type and AcceleRATE for the meta - Lengthy on 186cm with 85 acceleration and 86 sprint speed means he catches explosive attackers easily once he gets going. The height-to-weight ratio is ideal for winning headers and physical battles without sacrificing too much agility.
• Exceptional aerial presence - 94 heading accuracy and 84 jumping make corners and crosses a non-issue. He outjumps Haaland, Ronaldo, and every meta striker consistently. This is critical in Weekend League where set pieces decide tight matches.
• Outstanding composure and ball-playing ability - 95 composure, 89 short passing, and 81 long passing allow you to build from the back without worry. He never misplaces simple passes under pressure, unlike pure destroyers like base Rudiger or Konate.
• Incredible stamina for a CB - 81 stamina means he's just as effective in the 90th minute as the 1st minute. Most CBs with this defensive quality have 70-75 stamina, making Maldini exceptional for high-pressure games and extra time.
• Icon links and versatility - Green links to everyone make squad building effortless. You can pair him with any Serie A fullback, any Italian player, or build a full icon team. This flexibility alone is worth significant coins in chem-obsessed metas.
• 4-star weak foot for a CB is huge - Most elite CBs have 3-star or even 2-star weak foot. Maldini's 4-star means you can pass with either foot confidently, which matters when playing out under pressure from the left or right side.
• S-Tier meta rating (82 score) - The game's meta algorithm rates him S-Tier for CB, confirming what you feel in-game. His playstyle combination (Jockey+, Intercept, Anticipate, Slide Tackle, Aerial Fortress, Precision Header) is perfectly optimized for competitive play.

Weaknesses

• Only 73 agility and 76 balance - Against elite dribblers like Messi, Neymar, or Mbappe doing skill moves in tight spaces, you'll notice he takes an extra touch to turn. Not terrible, but you'll feel the difference compared to Varane (81 agility) or VVD with Shadow.
• 3-star skill moves limit dribbling options - If you like to dribble out of defense with ball rolls or La Croqueta, you're out of luck. He's purely a defender who passes, not a CB who can carry the ball forward like Rudiger or Kounde.
• No market price means likely expensive SBC - If this is an SBC card, you're probably looking at 400k+ in fodder, and it's untradeable. That's a massive commitment when tradeable alternatives like base Van Dijk or IF Saliba offer similar performance with market flexibility.
• Shooting stats are completely wasted - 56 shooting, 57 finishing, 41 long shots mean if he gets in an attacking position (corners), don't expect goals. This isn't a weakness per se, but some CBs like Ramos or Kounde can actually score, adding value beyond defending.
• Not the fastest recovery speed - While 86 sprint speed is good, it's not elite like 90+ pace CBs. If you play a high line and get caught out by through balls, he won't always catch up to the fastest strikers like Mbappe or Adeyemi with Hunter.
• Might feel clunky against top-tier dribblers - The combination of 73 agility, 76 balance, and 73 dribbling means he won't glide like a winger. When manually defending against someone doing quick direction changes, he can feel a bit stuck in mud compared to more agile options.

Best position, chemistry style & squads

Position: Left CB in a back four (4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1) or left-sided CB in a back three (5-2-1-2, 5-3-2). His left foot preference makes him perfect for the left side, allowing him to pass with his strong foot when building from the back. You can play him at RCB too, but his 4-star weak foot mitigates the disadvantage less than you'd think. Avoid playing him at CDM - his 40 positioning and 57 finishing mean he's wasted in midfield despite good passing stats.

Chemistry Style: Shadow is the obvious choice and what 90% of the community will use. It boosts his pace to 91 (90 acceleration, 91 sprint speed) and maxes out defending stats like interceptions and def awareness to 99. This makes him rapid enough to catch anyone and ensures his defensive AI is absolutely perfect. Alternative: Anchor if you want to boost his already-good physicality to elite levels (90+ strength and aggression), but you lose the crucial pace boost. Catalyst is a meme choice for extreme ball-playing, but don't do it - you need the pace and defending boosts more.

Squad Fits: Icon links make Maldini fit anywhere, but he's particularly valuable in Serie A hybrids (links to Theo Hernandez, Leao, Chiesa), Italian squads (links to Donnarumma, Barella, Tonali), or full icon teams. Pair him with another top CB like Van Dijk, Rudiger, or Militao for a perfectly balanced partnership - his ball-playing ability complements pure destroyers well. In a back three, play him on the left with two more aggressive CBs who can step into midfield. GK choice: Any top-tier keeper works, but Donnarumma gives the perfect link for Serie A hybrids.

Community opinion & what FUT players are saying

The Weekend League community is extremely divided on Maldini's value, though almost everyone agrees he performs exceptionally well in-game. Elite players (2000+ SR) praise his defensive AI, saying he makes auto-interceptions that save games and his composure on the ball is unmatched in the icon CB category. The Lengthy body type is considered a massive advantage in the current meta, especially after the patch that buffed Lengthy AcceleRATE against Explosive attackers.

However, there's significant criticism about value. Many players argue that if he's locked behind a 400k+ SBC, it's hard to justify over tradeable options like IF Van Dijk (similar price, tradeable, arguably better agility), 89 Maldini base card (cheaper, very similar stats), or even gold Saliba with Shadow (1/4 the price, 90% of the performance). The lack of a market price also makes him a risky investment if EA releases a better CB SBC next week or during a promo.

The most common complaint is the agility and dribbling feel against top-tier opponents. While casual Division Rivals players say he's perfect, Weekend League grinders report that against elite dribblers using directional nutmegs and skill moves, he can feel slightly heavy. The 3-star skills also frustrate players who like to dribble out of defense. Overall sentiment: If you're an AC Milan fan, Italian squad builder, or need icon links desperately, he's worth it. If you're purely min-maxing for the best CB per coin, there might be better options depending on the SBC cost.

Final verdict & ratings

Maldini 93 Thunderstruck ICON is an elite-tier center back who performs at the highest level in Weekend League and Division Rivals. His defensive stats, body type, and in-game AI are genuinely world-class, and he's one of the best pure defenders in the game. However, the value proposition depends entirely on the SBC cost and your squad needs.

Who should buy:

• AC Milan fans and Italian squad builders who want the best Italian CB in the game with perfect links
• Players who need icon links to fit together a hybrid squad with players from multiple leagues
• Defensive-minded players who value elite defensive stats, composure, and aerial dominance over agility and dribbling
• Anyone running a Lengthy-focused defense who wants the perfect CB to pair with another tall, strong defender

Who should skip:

• Budget-conscious players who can't justify 400k+ in untradeable fodder when tradeable alternatives exist
• Players who prioritize agility and quick turning over defensive stats and want more responsive CBs against skill spammers
• Anyone who already has elite CBs like Van Dijk, Rudiger, or Militao and doesn't desperately need icon links
• Players who want to keep their coins liquid and might need to sell/upgrade in a week when new content drops

Our ratings:

• Meta rating: 17.5/20 - Elite defensive stats, perfect body type, Lengthy AcceleRATE, and S-Tier meta score. Only held back slightly by agility and 3-star skills compared to absolute top-tier options like TOTY defenders.
• Fun rating: 14.5/20 - Extremely satisfying when he makes auto-interceptions and dominates in the air, but 3-star skills and clunky dribbling limit creativity. He's fun for defensive purists, less so for players who want flashy CBs.
• Value for coins: 13.0/20 - If the SBC is under 350k, this is good value for icon links and elite performance. Over 450k and you're paying a premium for the Maldini name and icon links when similar-quality tradeables exist. Untradeability is a big factor.

Conclusion