If you’re deep into FC 25 Ultimate Team and considering the new 92-rated Zico Fut Icon SBC from the FUT Immortals campaign, you’re probably asking the big question: is this card worth your hard-earned fodder? At first glance, a five-star, five-star Brazilian legend with good passing and shooting stats looks promising. But his actual performance on the pitch tells a more complicated story.
Here’s a full breakdown of the 92-rated SBC version of Zico, how he plays in-game, which chem styles make the most sense, and whether you should go through with completing this challenge.
Chemistry styles and how the 92-rated Zico plays
Zico comes in as a CAM++ with center mid+ and standard CM roles, though those extra positions are basically placeholders unless a future evolution boosts his defensive stats and unlocks more playstyle plus traits.
Right now, the Hunter chemistry style is the most obvious choice. It boosts his pace and shooting to where he becomes usable in the attacking third, particularly for players who are sharp with green-timed finishes. The problem is that his dribbling still feels off. There’s a noticeable stiffness to his movement, and even though you can get goals, he doesn’t feel natural on the ball.
Some players will be able to adapt using L1 or L2-R2 dribbling techniques, but if you rely on smooth left stick movement, Zico won’t feel great. It’s especially awkward when he takes extra touches in tight spaces or fails to accelerate properly in 1v1s.
Best formation and tactics to use with Zico
The Shadow Striker playstyle plus changes how you should view this card. Instead of locking him into a central CAM role, he works much better in a 4-2-3-1 as a side CAM. The right-hand side is ideal becausehe’s right-footed, and the wide position hides some of his dribbling quirks.
Using him in the middle is possible, but you’ll likely need to switch the chem style to Engine just to smooth out his turns and improve short bursts. That, however, comes at the cost of his finishing – which is one of the few things this SBC version does really well.
Zico SBC vs other FUT Icon or SBC options
Let’s be real: EA’s SBC content in FC 25 has been very mid, especially for high-profile Icons like Zico. And when you compare him to other options like Sawa or even market cards like Wayne Rooney, it becomes harder to justify this SBC unless you’re a fan of the player or building a Brazilian squad.
Sawa is five-star, five-star, with better playstyle plus traits for a CAM role. She’s simply more fluid and meta for the current gameplay. Rooney, on the other hand, is incredibly well built for the Engine chemistry style. He moves better, shoots better, and is priced around 430k on the market. Unless you’re low on coins and high on fodder, Rooney is the more logical option.
Dribbling feel and gameplay mechanics
What stands out the most is Zico’s base dribbling, which feels clunky even with support from playstyles like First Touch or Technical. You notice a “push” effect when trying to turn or move quickly, and this has actually been a recurring issue in past versions of his cards.
This version does not fix it. You’re constantly battling his body type and animations when trying to create quick chances. In high-speed attacks or tight areas, he struggles to keep up, and that slows your play down when it matters most.
Even with his Shadow Striker playstyle, Zico lacks the dynamic movement you’d expect from a player in that role. It’s why players prefer inside forwards with better AI and smoother transitions — they just perform better in meta situations.
Passing and playmaker quality
Zico’s passing is one of his stronger traits, and it’s helped by his Incisive Pass, Pinged Pass, and Tikitaka playstyles. Whether it’s short or long-range, his ball distribution is clean. That makes him useful in possession-based systems, but only if you’re okay with the slightly delayed dribble before the pass.
He can be used as a playmaker CAM with an Engine chem style, but the lack of quick dribbling makes him less suited for breaking down defenses than other more responsive options.
Should you complete the SBC?
If you have untradeable fodder and you’re a fan of Zico, there’s nothing wrong with unlocking the card for fun or nostalgia. But if you want competitive gameplay performance in FUT Champs or Rivals, this SBC doesn’t bring enough value. You can find stronger players either in the transfer market or in other SBCs with better traits and meta fit.
If you’re looking for a CAM that does it all – five-star skills, responsive dribbling, quick passing – Sawa is the move. If you’re looking for a strong, versatile attacking CAM from the market, Rooney is the better pick.
The 94-rated Zico version is in packs and not part of this SBC. That version has slightly improved stats but still inherits the same dribbling issues. If you packed him, great. But spending fodder on the 92-rated SBC version? There are just better ways to build your squad.
FAQ about the 92-rated Zico Fut Icon SBC in FC 25
What rating is the Zico SBC card?
The SBC version of Zico is 92 rated, not the 94 version in packs.
What is the best chem style for Zico?
Hunter if used wide, Engine if used centrally.
Is Zico worth the SBC?
Only if you have extra fodder or want to build a Brazilian squad.
Can Zico play CAM effectively?
Yes, but his dribbling makes him better suited to a wide CAM role.
