Rivaldo 91 Review: Hidden GEM or Overrated Icon? FC 26

Rivaldo's 91 Thunderstruck ICON card is one of the most intriguing budget Icons in FC 26 right now. At just 310,000 coins, you're getting a Brazilian legend with 92 dribbling face stats, 94 curve, and that legendary left foot. But with only 3-star weak foot and 88 pace in a meta dominated by explosive wingers, does Rivaldo still hold up in Weekend League? After extensive testing in Division Rivals and Champs, here's the honest verdict.

In-game feel & playstyle

Rivaldo feels like a player from a different era - and that's both a compliment and a criticism. His 93 dribbling and 93 ball control combined with 90 agility make him incredibly smooth on the ball, especially when cutting inside from the left wing. The 91 reactions and 92 composure mean he rarely panics in tight spaces, and you can feel that Ballon d'Or winning quality when he's gliding past defenders.

However, the 87 acceleration and 88 sprint speed feel slower than the stats suggest, likely due to the lack of any confirmed AcceleRATE type. In practice, he gets caught by meta fullbacks like Theo Hernandez or Kyle Walker when trying to exploit space in behind. The 4-star skills give you enough tools to work with, but the 3-star weak foot is genuinely problematic - you'll find yourself forcing shots onto his left foot even in poor positions, which becomes predictable for good opponents.

His shooting is where Rivaldo truly shines. The combination of 92 shot power, 92 long shots, 91 volleys, and that absurd 94 curve means his left-footed finesse shots are absolutely lethal from anywhere inside 25 yards. The 87 finishing is solid but not elite, so you'll miss some chances you'd expect higher-tier strikers to bury. His 91 FK accuracy makes him a genuine threat from set pieces, one of the best free kick takers in the game.

Strengths

• Elite left-footed shooting (92 shot power, 92 long shots, 94 curve) - His finesse shots from the edge of the box are genuinely broken, especially when cutting inside from LW. The curve stat is one of the highest in the game, making his finesse shots dip and swerve past even top-tier keepers.
• Exceptional dribbling stats (93 dribbling, 93 ball control, 90 agility) - Feels incredibly responsive when changing direction, perfect for tight spaces in the final third. The high agility means he can turn defenders inside out in one-on-one situations.
• Outstanding composure and reactions (92 composure, 91 reactions) - Never feels rushed on the ball, maintains control under pressure from aggressive defenders. Makes smart runs and positions himself well without instructions.
• Best-in-class free kicks (91 FK accuracy, 94 curve) - One of the best free kick takers in FC 26, can score consistently from 25+ yards. If you know how to take free kicks, he's a genuine weapon.
• Excellent playmaking stats (88 vision, 88 short passing) - Can operate as a creative CAM with 90 positioning, threading through balls and setting up teammates. His 87 crossing is also solid for creating chances from wide areas.
• Affordable Icon links at 310K - Provides perfect links to any Brazilian and makes hybrid squads much easier to build. For an Icon of this quality, the price is very reasonable compared to similar rated cards.
• High stamina for a winger (84 stamina) - Can last the full 90 minutes without feeling completely dead, though you'll want to sub him off in extra time.

Weaknesses

• 3-star weak foot is genuinely limiting - You absolutely cannot trust his right foot for anything important. This becomes predictable in Weekend League as opponents know you'll always cut inside onto his left.
• Pace feels underwhelming (87 acceleration, 88 sprint speed) - Gets caught by meta fullbacks regularly, can't exploit space in behind like Vinicius Jr or Mbappe. The lack of Lengthy or Explosive AcceleRATE type hurts his ability to create separation.
• Strength is average at best (81 strength) - Gets bodied off the ball by physical defenders like Van Dijk or Rudiger, especially when shielding. The 80 balance helps but isn't enough against aggressive defending.
• Only 4-star skills in a 5-star meta - Limits your skill move options compared to premium wingers, you can't spam elasticos or other 5-star tricks. This matters more at higher divisions where skill moves are essential.
• Finishing isn't elite (87 finishing) - Will miss chances you'd expect Icons to score, especially one-on-ones if you don't use finesse. For comparison, R9 has 96 finishing, Eusebio has 95.
• Defensive stats are useless (44 defending face stat) - Offers nothing in defensive transitions, you're basically playing with 10 men when defending counters. Don't expect him to track back or make tackles.
• Work rates not confirmed but feels High/Low - Sometimes gets caught too far forward, leaving gaps on the counter. You'll need your LB to have High defensive work rate to compensate.

Best position, chemistry style & squads

Position: Rivaldo works best as a LW in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, cutting inside onto his left foot. He can also play CAM in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-2-1-2, where his 90 positioning and 88 vision shine. Avoid playing him at ST - his 87 finishing and weak foot will let you down in that position. Left striker in a two-striker formation is viable if you pair him with a physical target man.

Chemistry Style: Hunter is the obvious choice to boost his pace (87→92 acceleration, 88→93 sprint speed) and positioning (90→95), making him much more usable in the current meta. Engine is an alternative if you want to max out his dribbling (93→98) and passing (88→93), but the pace boost is more important. Hawk could work if you play him at ST, boosting strength to 86, but the weak foot will still be an issue.

Squad Fits: As a Brazilian Icon, Rivaldo provides perfect links to any Brazilian player and strong links to any Icon. He's perfect for hybrid squads where you need to link players from different leagues. Pair him with other Brazilian Icons like Ronaldinho (if you have the budget), Ronaldo, or Pele. For cheaper options, link him with players like Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, or Militao. The Icons league means he links to everyone on 1 chem, making him incredibly flexible for squad building.

Community opinion & what FUT players are saying

The Weekend League community is divided on Rivaldo. On one hand, players who remember him from previous FIFA games love the nostalgia and his elite left-footed shooting - many report that his finesse shots are among the best they've used this year, and he consistently outperforms his stats in terms of goal contributions. Free kick specialists particularly rate him as one of the best FK takers in the game.

On the other hand, competitive players point out that he simply can't compete with meta wingers like FC Pro Vinicius Jr, Neymar, or even cheaper options like Thunderstruck Son. The 3-star weak foot is the most common complaint, with players reporting that good opponents quickly learn to force him onto his right foot. Some users on Reddit have called him "a luxury card for nostalgia, not for competing in Elite division." The pace, while decent on paper, feels slower than similar rated cards, and his inability to use 5-star skills limits his ceiling at the highest level.

His price point of 310K is viewed as fair value - not a bargain, but not overpriced either. Many suggest that if you're a fan of Rivaldo or need Icon links for a Brazilian/hybrid squad, he's worth it. But if you're purely chasing meta performance, your coins are better spent elsewhere.

Final verdict & ratings

Rivaldo 91 is a classic example of a card that's better than the meta suggests, but not quite good enough to be elite. His left foot is genuinely world-class, his dribbling feels fantastic, and at 310K he offers great value for Icon links. But the 3-star weak foot and underwhelming pace hold him back from being a top-tier winger in FC 26's sweaty meta.

Who should buy:

• Fans of Rivaldo or Brazilian football who want that nostalgia factor
• Players building hybrid squads who need Icon links to make chemistry work
• Free kick specialists who want one of the best FK takers in the game
• Those who prefer skill-based dribbling over pace abuse

Who should skip:

• Competitive Weekend League grinders chasing Elite division
• Players who rely heavily on 5-star skills and weak foot versatility
• Those expecting a rapid winger who can exploit space in behind
• Anyone who gets frustrated by predictable attack patterns

Our ratings:

• Meta rating: 13.5/20 - Good card with specific strengths, but the weak foot and pace hold him back from being truly competitive at the highest level. Works better in lower divisions where technical ability matters more than raw pace.
• Fun rating: 16.5/20 - Incredibly satisfying to use if you master his left foot, the finesse shots and free kicks are addictive. The nostalgia factor and smooth dribbling make him enjoyable to play with, even if he's not optimal.
• Value for coins: 14.5/20 - Fair price for what you get, especially considering Icon links. Not a bargain but not overpriced - there are better pure wingers for similar coins, but few offer the same chemistry flexibility.

Conclusion