The long-awaited return of Diego Maradona to FC 25 is just one day away, with the Grassroots Greats promo set to take center stage. While Maradona’s reintroduction is undoubtedly the headline act, the promo needs more content to bring the hype levels back up. The latest leaks suggest three different versions of Maradona will be available, alongside new SBCs and potential market shifts.
Additionally, today is a double rewards day, meaning Division Rivals and FUT Champs rewards are up for grabs. This provides a great opportunity to earn coins, invest smartly, and prepare for upcoming content. Here’s everything you need to know about Maradona’s return, the latest SBCs, and how to make the most of today’s market.
Three Versions of Maradona in FC 25
Maradona’s return will be monumental, but what exactly can players expect? According to leaks, three different versions of Maradona will be introduced:
- Grassroots Greats Maradona (96 OVR) – This will be the promo version in packs, featuring elite-level stats and likely being the most expensive card in the game upon release.
- Base Icon Maradona (95 OVR) – A standard version available in packs, comparable to past Maradona cards in FIFA.
- Evolution Maradona (77 OVR to ~90 OVR) – A free version of Maradona that can be evolved through objectives, similar to the Zidane evolution earlier in FC 25. However, there are mixed reports on whether the final evolution rating will be 89 or as high as 93.
While the free Evolution Maradona is an exciting concept, it’s unlikely to be as powerful as the ones in packs. EA rarely gives out top-tier free cards, so expect the evolution version to be slightly weaker compared to the high-rated versions in packs.
Latest SBCs: Schweinsteiger & Patrick Kluivert
Yesterday’s Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) brought two new Icon SBCs:
Schweinsteiger FC Pro Open Champion Icon SBC
- Cost: ~900,000 coins
- Playstyles:
Incisive Pass+, Pinged Pass+, Relentless, Press-Proven, Long Ball Pass - Positions: CDM, CM, CAM, LM
Pinged Pass+, Relentless, Press-Proven, Long Ball PassSchweinsteiger’s SBC is well-rounded with top-tier passing and playmaking abilities, but his high price has caused frustration among the community. With 13 squad segments required to complete him, many were hoping for a cheaper alternative (~500k-600k).
Patrick Kluivert Icon SBC
- Cost: ~305,000 coins
- Playstyles: Trivela,
Power Shot+, Finesse, Rapid - 5-Star Skill Moves
Kluivert’s SBC is much cheaper than Schweinsteiger’s, but he doesn’t offer the same meta potential. However, his five-star skills and playstyles make him a fun, budget-friendly SBC for those looking for a unique attacking option.
In addition to the icons, we also saw a Campaign Mix Player Pick SBC refreshed, offering a cheaper squad requirement (87 OVR) and four player choices instead of three.
Grassroots Greats Promo: What Else Does It Need?
Aside from Maradona, Grassroots Greats needs more hype-building content to make it a memorable promo. Here’s what EA could add to bring excitement back to the game:
1. A High-End Defender SBC
Midfield and attacking SBCs have been plentiful, but top-tier defenders have been missing. Potential names that could bring hype include:
- Laurent Blanc Icon SBC
- Ledley King Hero SBC
- Vincent Kompany Icon SBC
A strong defender SBC would provide much-needed balance to the promo and offer players something to grind for.
2. A Game-Changing Evolution
The last meta-defining EVOs were Team of the Year Blueprint and Attacking Avalanche. FC 25 needs another big EVO, potentially offering:
- 91-92 OVR upgrade
- Two Playstyle+ boosts
- Wide positional flexibility
If EA delivers another top-tier EVO, it could bring life back to Evolutions and make the promo much more exciting.
Market Tips: How to Make Coins Today
1. Double Rewards Supply: Buying During Market Dip
With Division Rivals and FUT Champs rewards releasing today, expect:
- Increased supply of FUT items
- Market dips during pack openings
This market drop presents a buying opportunity before prices rebound. Key investments to watch for:
- Future Stars Team 2 Players (Ahad, João Neves, Kvaratskhelia)
- Icons in Packs (Rio Ferdinand, Ronald Koeman)
2. Invest in High-Rated Fodder
Last week, high-rated fodder saw a significant drop on Thursday, only to rebound quickly. Example from last week:
- Kevin De Bruyne (90 OVR) – Dropped from 56k → 45k, then rebounded to 53k within hours.
Look for drops in 87+ rated cards and buy them during the lowest point of the dip.
3. Avoid Investing in CAMs/Strikers Until After Maradona Release
With Maradona dropping tomorrow, many players will stop buying CAMs and strikers since they will be using the free Maradona evolution instead.
Be cautious when investing in:
- Phil Foden, Kylian Mbappé, Johan Cruyff
- Any high-tier meta strikers or CAMs
Instead, focus on defenders, midfielders, and high-rated SBC fodder, as these will retain better value.
For more market tips follow TheFutAccountant on YouTube.
Upcoming Player of the Month SBCs: Wirtz & Dembélé
Two Player of the Month (POTM) SBCs are expected to drop today:
Florian Wirtz POTM (Bundesliga)
- Incisive Pass+ & First Touch+
- Back-to-back POTM winner
- Likely to be a great value SBC
First Touch+Ousmane Dembélé POTM (La Liga)
- Playstyles:
Whipped Pass+ & Rapid+ - Nearly identical to his Globe Trotters card
- Five-star skill moves and weak foot
Rapid+If Dembélé’s price is reasonable (500k-600k), he could be an excellent SBC option for those who missed out on his Team of the Year Blueprint version.
Final Thoughts
With Maradona’s return and the Grassroots Greats promo launching tomorrow, FC 25 is about to get exciting. Smart investments today can set you up for big profits, and staying on top of leaks will help you prepare for new SBCs.
