Leão 86 surprised me more than I expected

Rafael Leão's 86 Ultimate Scream card is one of FC 26's most exciting attacking threats. With blistering 94 pace (94 acceleration, 94 sprint speed), silky 89 dribbling, and 5-star skills, this Portuguese speedster terrorizes defenders on the wing. At 188cm with Controlled AcceleRATE, 84 finishing, and 86 crossing, he's a versatile attacking weapon whether you play him at LW, LM, or his listed ST position. But at 1.365M coins, is he worth the investment, or are there better options in this price bracket?

In-game feel & playstyle

Leão feels absolutely electric on the ball. His 94 acceleration combined with Controlled AcceleRATE makes him incredibly responsive off the mark, though he lacks the explosive burst of Lengthy strikers like Haaland. The 86 agility and 81 balance make him extremely nimble when weaving through defenses, and his 5-star skills open up endless opportunities for La Croqueta, elastico, and rainbow flicks. His 88 ball control and 89 dribbling rating translate to exceptional close control—you can genuinely feel defenders bouncing off him when using L2/LT dribbling.

What stands out most is his body type at 188cm combined with 80 strength. He's not a physical bully like Adama Traoré, but he has enough presence to hold off challenges while maintaining balance. His 85 reactions and 85 composure mean he's clinical in one-on-one situations, rarely panicking when through on goal. The 4-star weak foot is reliable but not spectacular—expect occasional misses on his right foot in clutch moments.

As a natural winger converted to ST, his 78 positioning is decent but not elite for a striker. He won't make the same AI runs as a true 9, so you'll need to manually trigger runs or play him wide where his 86 crossing and 83 vision shine. His stamina (80) is adequate for 90 minutes but may drain late in extra time if you're constantly sprinting.

Strengths

• Blistering 94 pace with perfect acceleration/sprint speed split - He burns past fullbacks like Kyle Walker and catches defenders on the counter effortlessly. Controlled AcceleRATE gives him excellent agility in tight spaces while maintaining top-end speed.
• 5-star skills with exceptional dribbling stats (89 dribbling, 86 agility) - Skill move specialists will love his responsiveness. La Croqueta and elastico are buttery smooth, and his 88 ball control means the ball sticks to his feet during skill chains.
• Tall body type (188cm) with 80 strength - Unlike most pace merchants, Leão can actually hold off physical defenders. His height is perfect for winning 50-50s and shielding the ball in the corner.
• Versatile positioning (ST/LW/LM) - Can play anywhere on the left flank or centrally. Perfect for formations like 4-3-2-1, 4-3-3, or 4-2-2-2 where you need pace on the wings or a second striker.
• Elite crossing (86) and vision (83) - If you play possession-based football, his ability to pick out passes and whip in dangerous crosses is superb. Much better passer than most pace-focused wingers.
• Solid shooting stats (84 finishing, 82 shot power, 76 long shots) - Clinical inside the box and can bang in finesse shots from the edge. His 85 composure keeps him calm in big moments.
• 91 jumping and 75 heading accuracy - Surprisingly effective in the air for a winger. Wins headers on crosses and goal kicks, adding another dimension to his attack.
• Serie A/Portugal links - Easy to fit into hybrid squads with players like Theo Hernández, João Félix, Bruno Fernandes, or any Serie A meta cards.

Weaknesses

• Massively overpriced at 1.365M coins - You're paying a premium for his pace and skills, but cards like Vinícius Jr (91 rated) offer similar stats for comparable or lower prices with better positioning and links.
• 78 positioning is below average for a striker - His AI runs are inconsistent. He won't make the automatic runs of elite strikers like Mbappé or Haaland, requiring manual control to maximize his effectiveness.
• 4-star weak foot is inconsistent - His right foot finishing is decent but unreliable in clutch moments. Expect occasional shanked shots when forced onto his weak foot in the box.
• 80 stamina drains in extra time - If you sprint constantly or play high-pressure tactics, he'll be gassed by the 100th minute. Sub him off or manage his workload carefully.
• 65 penalties is shockingly low - For a 1.4M attacker, this is unacceptable. He's not your primary penalty taker in clutch Weekend League matches.
• Controlled AcceleRATE is meta but not elite - He's agile and fast, but lacks the explosive first-step acceleration of Explosive players like Messi or the top-end speed maintenance of Lengthy strikers.
• 31 defending/24 defensive awareness - Completely useless in defense. If you lose possession, don't expect him to track back or make tackles. He's a pure attacker.

Best position, chemistry style & squads

Position: Despite being listed as a striker, Leão performs best at LW or LM in 4-3-3 (4), 4-3-2-1, or 4-2-3-1 formations. His 86 crossing, 83 vision, and natural winger instincts shine when he has space to run at fullbacks. If you insist on playing him as a striker, use him in a two-striker formation (4-4-2, 4-2-2-2) alongside a target man who can hold up play while Leão makes off-ball runs.

Chemistry Style: Apply a Marksman chemistry style to boost his finishing (90), shot power (88), and positioning (84) while maintaining his dribbling dominance. This transforms him into a clinical finisher inside the box. Alternatively, use Hawk if you want to maximize his physicality (85 strength, 86 jumping) and shooting, or Engine if you prefer to enhance his agility (91) and short passing (90) for a more creative winger role.

Squad Fits: Leão excels in hybrid squads thanks to his Portuguese nationality and Serie A club links. Pair him with Serie A legends like Theo Hernández (LB), Mike Maignan (GK), or Tonali (CM) for strong links. Portuguese icons like Bruno Fernandes, João Cancelo, or Bernardo Silva provide easy chemistry in Premier League hybrids. His Milano FC (AC Milan) club link connects to players like Pulisic, Reijnders, or Tomori if you're building a Serie A-focused squad.

Community opinion & what FUT players are saying

Weekend League grinders have mixed feelings about Leão's Ultimate Scream card. Elite Division players praise his dribbling and pace, calling him "glitchy" in 1v1 situations and noting that his 188cm frame makes him harder to dispossess than smaller wingers like Insigne or Messi. His 5-star skills are a huge selling point for content creators and skill move enthusiasts, with many highlighting his La Croqueta spam as "broken" in tight spaces.

However, the criticism revolves almost entirely around his price tag. Multiple community members on Reddit and Twitter have pointed out that Vinícius Jr (91 rated) offers similar or better stats at a comparable price with stronger links to La Liga meta players. Others argue that for 1.4M, you could buy elite strikers like Son Heung-min (TOTW) or even save up for an Icon like Thierry Henry, both of whom have better positioning and finishing.

His weak foot is another common complaint. Players report that his 4-star weak foot feels inconsistent in Weekend League, with several noting that he "bottles easy chances on his right foot" in high-pressure moments. His 65 penalties rating has also drawn laughs from the community, with many joking that he's "scared of the spot" for a card at this price.

Overall, the consensus is clear: Leão is an elite winger with jaw-dropping pace and skills, but he's overpriced by at least 300-400K. Most recommend waiting for his price to drop or investing in better value alternatives unless you're a Milan fan or Serie A squad builder.

Final verdict & ratings

Rafael Leão's 86 Ultimate Scream card is a thrilling winger with game-breaking pace, silky dribbling, and 5-star skills that make him a nightmare for defenders. His versatility across LW, LM, and ST positions gives you tactical flexibility, and his 188cm frame with 80 strength sets him apart from fragile speed merchants.

Who should buy:

• Skill move specialists who abuse La Croqueta and elastico in tight spaces
• Serie A or Portuguese hybrid squad builders who need an elite left-sided attacker
• Players who prioritize pace and dribbling over clinical finishing and positioning
• AC Milan fans willing to pay a premium for their star player

Who should skip:

• Budget-conscious players—1.365M is steep for what you get
• Players seeking a clinical striker with elite positioning and weak foot
• Anyone who prefers Lengthy or Explosive AcceleRATE over Controlled
• FUT managers who value coins-to-performance ratio (Vinícius Jr is better value)

Our ratings:

• Meta rating: 15.5/20 - Elite pace, dribbling, and skills make him competitive in Weekend League, but his price and inconsistent weak foot hold him back from top-tier status.
• Fun rating: 18.5/20 - 5-star skills with 94 pace and glitchy dribbling make him insanely fun to play. Skill move enthusiasts will love every second with this card.
• Value for coins: 11.0/20 - Massively overpriced. You're paying 1.4M for a card that performs like a 900K player. Wait for a price drop or invest elsewhere.

Conclusion