In a shocking move, EA is set to give every player a free Icon Maradona in FC 25 as part of the upcoming Grassroots Greats Promo. Following the recent free Zidane Evolution, this marks another massive giveaway in what has been one of the most generous years for free cards in Ultimate Team history.
The Maradona Evolution will allow players to upgrade a 77-rated version of the legendary Argentine to a much stronger final form. While the exact stats are still unknown, leaks suggest it could be somewhere between 91 and 95 rated, similar to his previous FIFA Icon versions.
How Will Maradona Impact the FC 25 Market?
With Maradona confirmed as a free Evolution card, the market has already reacted. Attacking midfielders and strikers have taken a hit as players anticipate that Maradona will replace many high-value attackers in teams. Some key market movements include:
- Cole Palmer TOTY dropping from 1.42M to 1.3M coins before rebounding.
- Bobby Charlton Icon falling from 2.1M to 1.6M coins before recovering to 1.8M.
- Neymar Centurions dipping from 1.5M to 1.2M coins due to panic selling.
If this Maradona proves to be highly usable, expect further crashes for high-end CAMs and strikers. Players with tradable attacking midfielders should consider selling before the official reveal on Friday.
Learn more about the FC 25 market via TheFutAccountant on YouTube.
83×10 SBCs, Upgrade Packs & Future Stars Exchange SBC
EA has also dropped some unexpected SBCs, including:
- 83×10 Upgrade SBC – Requires an Inform, three 84-rated players, and the rest 83-rated players (repeatable 3x per day).
- 83+3 of 10 Player Pick – A new player pick version of the 83×10, also requiring an Inform.
- 88+ Future Stars Exchange SBC – The first exchange SBC of the year, requiring three Future Stars to receive an 88+ Future Star in return.
These SBCs have caused Inform cards to rise to 17-18K and Future Stars cards to hit 28-30K. If you have tradable Future Stars in your club, now is the time to sell.
Wednesday Content & Market Watch
Today’s content includes:
- New Team of the Week with 85+ ratings and PlayStyle+ boosts.
- Patrick Schick SBC (expected today or tomorrow).
- Usman Dembélé Ligue 1 Player of the Month SBC – Expected soon and could push up Ligue 1 fodder.
- 88+ Campaign Player Pick refresh, likely requiring an Inform, which could drive prices up again.
With all these changes, the best investments right now are defenders and midfielders, as they are less affected by the Maradona panic. Attackers, especially CAMs and strikers, could continue to drop leading up to the promo launch.
What’s Next for Maradona & Grassroots Greats?
Leakers suggest that Maradona’s Evolution will differ from Zidane’s, requiring more steps to upgrade. This means players won’t be able to instantly use a top-tier Maradona, but instead, will have to grind through objectives or Evolution challenges.
Additionally, while a 96-rated Maradona was leaked, it’s likely to be a pack-only version, separate from the free Evolution card. More details on his final stats and evolution path are expected soon.
The Grassroots Greats Promo, initially thought to focus only on Icons and Heroes, has now been confirmed to feature regular players such as:
- Bruno Fernandes
- Paulo Dybala
- Alexis Mac Allister
- Alvaro Morata
While this means a broader selection of players, some community members feel that it reduces the hype of the promo, especially with leaks debunking the inclusion of El Shaarawy, Di Natale, and Ibarbo.
Final Thoughts
With Maradona’s free Icon confirmed, the attacker market is in trouble. Players with high-value CAMs and strikers should consider selling now before further drops. Meanwhile, informs and fodder investments could still be profitable, especially if the 88+ Campaign Player Pick refreshes today.
Will this free Maradona live up to the hype, or will it be another overused, frustrating card like Zidane? Let us know in the comments!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will EA really give away a free Icon Maradona?
Yes! EA has confirmed that all players will receive a free 77-rated Maradona in FC 25 as part of the Grassroots Greats Promo. Players can evolve him through objectives and Evolution upgrades.
How do I upgrade the free Maradona card?
The free Maradona will be upgraded via Evolutions and objectives. The final version is rumored to be between 91-95 rated, based on previous Icon stats.
Will Maradona be as overpowered as Zidane?
It depends on the final upgrade path. Zidane was instantly usable at 94-rated, while Maradona will require multiple steps. However, his dribbling, finesse shots, and passing could make him a top-tier CAM.
How will Maradona impact the Ultimate Team market?
Many attacking midfielders and strikers have already dropped in price due to panic selling. Cards like Neymar, Bobby Charlton, and Cole Palmer have seen major dips. Expect further declines when Maradona is released.
What is the 83×10 Upgrade SBC and should I complete it?
The 83×10 SBC requires an Inform, three 84-rated players, and 83-rated players. It is repeatable three times daily and is currently one of the best value SBCs for farming high-rated fodder.
Should I invest in Future Stars or Informs?
Future Stars cards have risen to 28-30K due to the Exchange SBC but will likely drop after rewards. Informs are in high demand due to multiple SBCs requiring them and could increase in price further.
