Raphinha 90 Review: Best Value Winger? FC 26

Raphinha's 90 Thunderstruck card is one of the most complete wingers in La Liga for under 700K. With Explosive AcceleRATE, 92 Pace, 88 Dribbling, and 85 Shooting, this Brazilian sensation feels like a meta card that can dominate both flanks and cut inside as an inverted winger. The 4-star skills and 4-star weak foot make him incredibly versatile, while 93 Stamina ensures he's still sprinting in the 90th minute. At 616K, he's competing with cards like Vini Jr's base gold and special Nico Williams, but Raphinha brings a unique blend of shooting and playmaking that sets him apart.

In-game feel & playstyle

Raphinha feels lightning-fast thanks to Explosive AcceleRATE and 91 Acceleration. That first burst of pace is noticeable when you're trying to get behind fullbacks or accelerate into space after a skill move. The 89 Agility and 89 Ball Control make him incredibly responsive on the ball - he can shift directions quickly, weave through traffic, and maintain close control even when sprinting. His dribbling animations are smooth and clean, reminiscent of Mahrez or Di María, with that trademark Brazilian flair.

The 88 Finishing and 90 Positioning make him a genuine goal threat. He's not just a creator - he'll find space in the box and finish chances with consistency. The 4-star weak foot is crucial here because you can cut inside from either wing and shoot without worrying too much about accuracy. However, at 176cm and 67 Strength, he gets bodied by physical fullbacks like Ferland Mendy or Kyle Walker. You'll need to rely on skill moves and quick passing to beat aggressive defenders rather than trying to shield the ball.

His 86 Composure shines in clutch moments. Whether it's a one-on-one with the keeper or a tight angle finish, Raphinha stays calm and accurate. The 93 Stamina is genuinely elite - he'll press high, track back, and still have energy for counter-attacks in extra time. This makes him perfect for aggressive tactics with high depth and constant pressure.

Strengths

• Explosive AcceleRATE with 91 Acceleration and 92 Sprint Speed - That first step is devastating. You can burn past fullbacks in the first few yards, especially after exiting a skill move or receiving a through ball. Perfect for getting in behind defensive lines.
• Elite dribbling stats (89 Agility, 89 Ball Control, 89 Dribbling) - Ball glued to his feet. Left stick dribbling feels incredibly smooth, and you can change direction on a dime. Great for tight spaces and crowded penalty areas.
• 4-star skills and 4-star weak foot - The perfect combination for a modern winger. Ball roll scoop, elastico, and McGeady spin all feel responsive. The 4-star weak foot means you're not predictable when cutting inside.
• Complete attacking output (88 Finishing, 90 Positioning, 87 Crossing, 88 Vision) - Can do everything in attack. Finish chances, create for others, deliver crosses, or play through balls. This versatility is rare at this price point.
• 93 Stamina with 86 Composure - Never gets tired and stays calm in pressure moments. You can press aggressively all game and still have energy for counter-attacks. The composure ensures he doesn't fluff easy chances.
• Perfect height (176cm) and body type for a winger - Not too tall to lose agility, not too short to get bullied every time. Feels balanced and responsive without being fragile in every 50-50.
• Strong La Liga and Brazil links - Easy to hybrid with Barcelona players (Lewandowski, Pedri, Gavi), Brazilian icons (Ronaldinho, Rivaldo), or La Liga meta cards. Green link to Militao and Casemiro for hybrids.
• Better value than Vini Jr gold at similar price - Raphinha's Thunderstruck offers better Shooting (85 vs 80), Stamina (93 vs 81), and Positioning (90 vs 85) compared to base Vini. If you need a complete attacker rather than just pace and dribbling, Raphinha wins.

Weaknesses

• Low Strength (67) makes him vulnerable to physical defenders - Gets bodied by the likes of Kyle Walker, Ferland Mendy, and Theo Hernandez. If you try to shield the ball or hold off a defender, you'll lose possession. Must rely on movement and skills.
• Mediocre defensive stats (55 Defending, 58 Interceptions) - Not a liability but won't help much when defending. If you play with wingers who track back aggressively, you'll notice he's not winning many tackles or making interceptions.
• Only 77 Heading Accuracy - Don't expect him to win headers on crosses or goal kicks. With 176cm height and 77 heading, he's losing most aerial duels. This limits your attacking options from set pieces.
• Shot Power (84) is good but not elite - Enough to score from most situations, but you'll notice the difference compared to cards with 90+ shot power. Finesse shots work better than power shots from distance.
• No 5-star skills - If you're a skiller who relies on advanced moves like the samba or triple elastico, you'll miss that 5th star. He's stuck with 4-star moves which are still good but limiting for some playstyles.
• Priced at 616K in a competitive winger market - You're competing with Vini Jr (similar price), Nico Williams special cards (cheaper with 5-star skills), and even Mid Figo or Prime Luis Figo icons. Raphinha is great but not necessarily best-in-class.

Best position, chemistry style & squads

Position: Raphinha works best as a LW or LM in 4-3-3 variants, 4-2-3-1, or 4-4-2. His natural position is LM, but he's much more effective as LW where he can cut inside onto his right foot and shoot. You can also play him at RW if you need, thanks to the 4-star weak foot - he'll deliver crosses from the right and cut inside onto his left. In 4-2-3-1, he works as a Left CAM with Get In Behind and Cut Inside instructions. Avoid using him as a striker - his 67 Strength and 77 Heading make him ineffective centrally.

Chemistry Style: Apply a Hunter to maximize his attacking threat. This boosts Pace to 97 and Shooting to 90, making him a clinical finisher who can burn any fullback. If you want more creativity, use Deadeye to boost Shooting and Passing - you'll get 90 Shooting, 91 Passing, and elite playmaking stats (93 Vision, 92 Crossing, 91 Short Passing). Engine is overkill since his Dribbling and Pace are already elite. Avoid Hawk or Marksman - the Physicality boosts won't save him from body contact with meta fullbacks.

Squad Fits: Raphinha fits perfectly in La Liga, Brazil, or Barcelona-themed squads. Strong links to FC Barcelona players like Lewandowski, Pedri, and Gavi make him easy to fit. For hybrids, link him with Brazilian icons (Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Ronaldo Nazario) or Real Madrid/La Liga defenders like Militao, Casemiro, or Rudiger. He's perfect for Weekend League squads that need a fast, versatile winger who can create and score. If you're running a 4-3-3 with wingers on Get In Behind, Raphinha is a perfect fit alongside a target man striker.

Community opinion & what FUT players are saying

The Weekend League community is largely positive on Raphinha's Thunderstruck card, praising his versatility and value. Most players highlight his finishing consistency and stamina as standout features - he's one of the few wingers under 700K who can press for 90+ minutes and still score late goals. The Explosive AcceleRATE and smooth dribbling animations earn consistent praise, with many comparing him favorably to more expensive options like Mid Figo.

However, the complaints center around his physical presence. Players report that against elite fullbacks like Mendy, Walker, or Theo Hernandez, Raphinha gets pushed off the ball too easily. Some users also note that the lack of 5-star skills limits his ceiling for advanced skillers. There's debate about whether he's worth 616K when Nico Williams' special cards offer 5-star skills at a similar or lower price, though Raphinha's superior shooting and stamina win over players who prioritize goal contributions.

Overall, the consensus is that Raphinha is a great value winger for players who need a complete attacker rather than a pure pace/dribbling merchant. He's not the flashiest card, but his consistency and work rate make him a reliable option for Division Rivals and Weekend League grinders.

Final verdict & ratings

Raphinha's 90 Thunderstruck is a top-tier winger for La Liga squads, offering explosive pace, elite dribbling, and reliable finishing at a competitive price. He's not the strongest or the most skilful, but his versatility and stamina make him a workhorse who can impact games in multiple ways.

Who should buy:

• Players running La Liga or Brazilian squads who need a complete LW/LM with great stamina
• Weekend League grinders who want a winger that can press, create, and finish consistently
• Anyone looking for better value than Vini Jr's base gold card with superior shooting and positioning
• Players who prioritize work rate and composure over pure pace or 5-star skills

Who should skip:

• Skillers who rely on 5-star skill moves - Nico Williams or Vini Jr are better options
• Players who need a physically dominant winger who can hold off defenders
• Those with budget constraints - there are cheaper meta wingers like base Nico Williams or budget special cards
• Anyone who already has elite untradeable wingers like Prime Figo or special Vini Jr cards

Our ratings:

• Meta rating: 16.5/20 - Excellent all-around stats with Explosive AcceleRATE, but the low Strength and lack of 5-star skills prevent him from being truly elite. Still a top-tier winger for under 700K.
• Fun rating: 17.0/20 - Smooth dribbling, responsive skills, and the ability to score from anywhere make him enjoyable to use. The 4-star combo gives enough flair without being overly reliant on tricks.
• Value for coins: 16.0/20 - At 616K, he's priced fairly for what he offers. Better shooting and stamina than Vini Jr, but not quite as explosive. Solid investment that won't lose much value quickly.

Conclusion