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EA Sports has dropped a massive new Squad Building Challenge (SBC) in EA FC 25 Ultimate Team-and it's none other than a five-star, five-star Franck Ribéry. With 20 squads required to complete it, this is one of the most expensive and extensive SBCs we've seen this cycle. It's a huge commitment FC 25 Coins, but does this Ribéry card actually live up to the hype, or is it just a shiny coin sink?

Let's break it all down-stats, in-game performance, playstyles, value for coins, and whether or not this card should earn a spot in your club.

SBC Details & Cost

To unlock this 98-rated Franck Ribéry, you'll need to submit 20 different squads, which equates to roughly 1.4 to 1.5 million coins worth of high-rated fodder. This is not a cheap or casual SBC-it's clearly designed for dedicated grinders and Ribéry fans who are deep into Ultimate Team this late in the game cycle.

And yes, it's a perfect way to dump fodder if your club is stacked-but if you're short on resources, this SBC may take some serious time and commitment.

Card Overview

 Rating: 98

 Skill Moves / Weak Foot: 5Star / 5Star

 Work Rates: High / Medium

 Height: 5'7"

 Body Type: Controlled (with Explosive capability)

 Positions: LW, LM, CAM, ST

From the outset, the flexibility this Ribéry offers in terms of positioning is a huge bonus. Being able to slot him into nearly every attacking role makes him an easy chemistry fit in most squads. The five-star skills and weak foot combo is meta-defining at this stage of the game.

Key Stats

Ribéry's stats across the board are elite. Here's what stands out:

 Pace: 99 Acceleration, 98 Sprint Speed

 Dribbling: Nearly maxed with 99 Agility, 98 Balance, 99 Ball Control, and 99 Dribbling

 Shooting: 95 Positioning, 94 Finishing, 97 Shot Power, 92 Long Shots

 Passing: 95 Vision, 94 Short Pass, 92 Curve

 Physical: 99 Stamina ensures he lasts the full 90 (and extra time)

Despite being just 5'7", Ribéry feels surprisingly strong on the ball. He holds off defenders well, and thanks to high balance and the Trickster playstyle, it's hard to knock him off his stride when he's dribbling at full speed.

PlayStyles and PlayStyle+ Breakdown

One of the most unique aspects of this card is that it's the first player in EA FC 25 to feature five PlayStyle+ traits, including:

 Technical+

 Quick Step+

 Finesse Shot+

 Trivela+

 Whipped Pass+

Add to that some very strong base playstyles like First Touch, Trickster, Tiki Taka, Incisive Pass, and Chip Shot, and you've got a card that is stacked with playmaking and finishing tools.

That said, Whipped Pass+ and Trivela+ are more situational. For example, Trivela+ doesn't drastically improve low drivens or regular finesse shots, and Whipped Pass+ is only relevant if you play him as a winger consistently. It might have made more sense for him to have Low Driven+ or Power Shot+ to really amplify his striker potential.

In-Game Performance: Ribéry Reviewed

Positional Versatility

We tested Ribéry across CAM, Striker, and LW positions. He performed well in all three, but two things stood out:

1.Shadow Striker Role (CAM): This is where Ribéry shines. His off-ball movement into space is elite, and with Quick Step+ and Technical+, he bursts past defenders and delivers crisp low drivens or finesse finishes.

2.Striker Role: He's deadly in front of goal but can occasionally struggle in physical duels against stronger center backs. However, his Trickster and First Touch playstyles make him lethal on the turn.

Speed and Dribbling

With near-max pace and dribbling, Ribéry flies down the pitch. His acceleration off the mark is almost instant, and his left stick control is silky smooth. Whether you're using controlled sprint, explosive boosts, or simply weaving past defenders, this card feels elite.

Finishing and Passing

He converts chances well with both feet, though some finesse attempts did feel a bit floaty depending on the angle. His passing is superb in tighter areas, especially when feeding runners like Kaka or Yashin. The Incisive Pass and Tiki Taka styles do make a difference in combination play.

Stamina

With 99 stamina, you never have to sub him off. He goes the full match, including extra time, without noticeable drop-off. Perfect for FUT Champs or long Weekend League grinds.

So, Is He Worth It?

Let's get real: 1.4M coins and 20 squads is a steep ask. So the big question is: is Ribéry worth it?

Pros:

 Elite stats in all key areas

 Incredible movement and dribbling

 Versatile in multiple positions

 First 5x PlayStyle+ card in the game

 Five-star weak foot and skills

 Can be the star of any attackCons:

 20 squads is a serious grind

 Could've used stronger PlayStyle+ synergy (Low Driven+ or Power Shot+)

 High price may block you from doing other major SBCs (like 99-rated endgame cards)

 Might soon be outclassed by upcoming evolution upgrades (e.g., the Season Pass 96 Ribéry)

Comparing to Alternatives

If you're on the fence, consider this: the 96-rated Ribéry from the Season Pass is likely to be compatible with Evolutions soon. A well-evolved version of that card might rival or even surpass this 98-rated SBC version depending on how EA configures future upgrades.

Also, you've got other top-tier SBCs in rotation-like Footies Benzema-who might offer better value per squad submitted.

Final Verdict

If you're a massive Ribéry fan, this is a dream card-5Star, incredible stats, explosive movement, and top-tier flair. You'll love playing with him, especially if you're all about dribbling and creative attack play.

However, if you're looking for value for coins or efficiency, this SBC is borderline excessive. Unless you've got a ton of fodder saved up and nothing else you want to complete, you may want to skip it.

Recommendation:

 For casual or mid-tier players: Avoid. Save your fodder.

 For grinders with tons of cards: Go for it, but only if you won't regret skipping upcoming 99-rated content EA FC Coins for sale.

 For fans of Ribéry: 100% complete. You'll love him.

Wrapping Up

Franck Ribéry's 98-rated SBC is a flashy, fun, and high-performance card-but the cost and grind involved make it a tough sell for many players. It's great to see EA experiment with five PlayStyle+ cards, but a few tweaks could've made this card truly generational.

Still, if you do complete it, expect a pacey, agile, skill-heavy attacker who feels like a cross between Footies Vinícius Jr. and TOTY Messi.