The Team of the Year promo has arrived in FC 26 and brought us some of the most prestigious cards on the market. Among the elite attackers is Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor, a 96-rated striker commanding a price tag of around 1.8 million coins.
Most players will naturally look to slot a card with these stats directly into the center forward position. However, our testing reveals that her true potential might lie elsewhere on the pitch. We bought her off the market to see if she justifies the heavy coin investment.
Player Profile
- Overall: 96
- Position: ST (Best used at LM/LW)
- Club: FC Barcelona
- Nation: Poland
- Work Rates: High/Medium
Pajor boasts a frightening combination of 96 Pace and 98 Dribbling. She fits the current meta perfectly with a low center of gravity that makes her feel responsive in tight areas.
Her PlayStyle lineup includes Game Changer, Quick Step, and Rapid, all of which are vital for an elite attacker. However, the absence of specific passing traits forces a tactical rethink regarding her best role.
Why She Belongs on the Wing
We initially tested Pajor as a lone striker. The results were mixed because she lacks the Incisive Pass PlayStyle. In FC 26, your central striker often needs to link play and thread final balls to rushing wingers. Pajor can struggle here compared to other elite options.
The dynamic changes completely when you move her to Left Mid (LM). In this position, the lack of Incisive Pass becomes irrelevant. Her primary job shifts to isolating fullbacks and driving into the box, a role where she excels.
Her Tiki Taka PlayStyle works beautifully out wide. It facilitates quick interplay with midfielders and helps you escape pressure near the touchline.
Dribbling and Speed
Pajor feels electric on the ball. The Quick Step PlayStyle allows her to burst out of skill moves with immediate acceleration. This “first step” speed is often more valuable than pure sprint speed when trying to create separation in the final third.
To maximize this, we recommend applying an Engine Chemistry Style. This boosts her pace, passing, and dribbling simultaneously. The balance upgrade makes her nearly impossible to dispossess when she is weaving through traffic.
The “Game Changer” Advantage
One of the standout features of this card is the Game Changer PlayStyle. This mechanic shines when cutting inside from the flank.
We found that driving towards the near post activates this trait consistently. It creates goal-scoring angles that shouldn’t mathematically exist. Goalkeepers often fail to react to these near-post strikes in time.
Even without the 
Finesse Shot+ PlayStyle, Pajor is lethal from range. Her base shooting stats are high enough that she hits finesse shots with remarkable consistency. We noticed she often outperforms players like Lamine Yamal in this regard simply due to her consistency and shooting animations.
Comparing the Alternatives
At 1.8 million coins, Pajor competes with other high-end market options. If you are looking for a pure striker, Flashback Callum Wilson might offer a more traditional target-man feel.
However, Pajor offers versatility that traditional strikers lack. She is a creator and a finisher wrapped into one, provided you deploy her in the wide channels. She feels distinct from midfielders who play out wide because she maintains that striker’s instinct in front of goal.
The Verdict
TOTY Ewa Pajor is a luxury player who justifies her price tag if used correctly. She is not the target man some might expect from a 96-rated card. Instead, she is arguably the best Left Midfielder available in FC 26 right now.
Her ability to carry the ball, beat defenders with the Quick Step, and finish from acute angles makes her a nightmare to defend. If you have the coins to upgrade your wing play, she is a must-buy.
FUTFC Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars
