Ronaldinho Winter Wildcards Icon SBC in EA FC 26 explained

Winter Wildcards in EA FC 26 opens with one of Ultimate Team’s most coveted names: Ronaldinho. His new 88-rated Winter Wildcards Icon version arrives through a large Squad Building Challenge that demands 14 squads and a significant pile of high-rated fodder, but in return offers a uniquely fast, skill-heavy winger with Rapid+.

How the Winter Wildcards Icon Ronaldinho SBC works

The Winter Wildcards Icon Ronaldinho SBC lives in the Icons tab and stays live until early January 2026. Completing all 14 segments unlocks an 88 OVR LW Icon card with:

• Positions at LW, LM and CAM
• 5★ skill moves and 4★ weak foot
• Key stats around 88 PAC, 85 SHO, 85 PAS, 90 DRI, with light defending and solid physicals
• The Rapid+ PlayStyle, massively improving acceleration off the dribble
• Shadow Striker++ and Classic 10+ roles when used centrally

There is also a separate loan segment that grants a 5-match version of the same item, so you can test him before committing your fodder.

All Ronaldinho SBC segments and rating requirements

The challenge is built around gradual squad ratings with light chemistry-style requirements tied to Ronaldinho’s clubs, league history, and Team of the Week items.

Across the full set you submit:

• Two 84-rated squads
• Two 85-rated squads with a TOTW in each
• Three 86-rated squads, one of which has a TOTW requirement
• Three 87-rated squads, one with a TOTW requirement
• Three 88-rated squads, again one with a TOTW requirement
• One 89-rated squad without additional chemistry constraints

In total, five Team of the Week items are needed, so club stockpiles and upgrade packs are valuable if you want to lower the coin outlay.

Example cheap squad structures for each rating tier

The SBC does not lock you into specific players, only overall ratings and, in a few cases, league or nation. To keep costs predictable, you can follow simple rating patterns built around the cheapest cards at each OVR.

84-rated squads (On a Loan, O Bruxo)

A stable 84-rated squad can be built around a single 86, six 84s, and four 82s.

• 1 × 86 OVR gold
• 6 × 84 OVR players
• 4 × 82 OVR players

For O Bruxo, swap one of the 82s or 84s for a Brazilian player at that rating. Chemistry is not strict, so you can pull from any league.

85-rated squads (League Finesse, League Legend)

For 85-rated segments that also need a TOTW and a specific league, a consistent pattern is two 86s, five 84s, and four 82s, with one of the 84s or 86s being your Team of the Week card.

• 2 × 86 OVR players (one may be TOTW)
• 5 × 84 OVR players
• 4 × 82 OVR players

In League Finesse, ensure one card comes from Serie A. In League Legend, ensure one card is from LaLiga. You do not need both conditions on the same player.

86-rated squads (86-Rated Squad, Top Form)

The 86-rated tier is where the fodder cost starts to bite. A reliable structure is three 87s, three 86s, and five 84s.

• 3 × 87 OVR players
• 3 × 86 OVR players
• 5 × 84 OVR players

For Top Form, replace one of the 84s with an 84-rated TOTW card, or upgrade one of the 86s to an in-form at the same rating if prices are similar.

87-rated squads (three segments, one with TOTW)

The 87 segments can be handled with a consistent skeleton of three 88s, four 87s, and four 84s.

• 3 × 88 OVR players
• 4 × 87 OVR players
• 4 × 84 OVR players

For the 87 squad that needs a TOTW, make one of the 84s or 87s a Team of the Week item. This keeps flexibility so you can use whatever in-form rating you have on hand.

88-rated squads (three segments, one with TOTW)

The three 88-rated squads are among the most demanding. A cost-efficient template is one 90, two 89s, two 88s, and six 86s.

• 1 × 90 OVR player
• 2 × 89 OVR players
• 2 × 88 OVR players
• 6 × 86 OVR players

Again, for the 88-rated segment that requires a TOTW, convert one of the 86s or 88s into a Team of the Week card at the same rating.

89-rated squad (final segment)

The last squad is the priciest single step and is best tackled with a mix of 90s, 89s, and 88s to avoid overspending.

• 2 × 90 OVR players
• 4 × 89 OVR players
• 3 × 88 OVR players
• 2 × 87 OVR players

That combination balances the rating requirement without stacking too many ultra-expensive cards at the top end.

Estimated cost and value for coins spent

Across all platforms, the full SBC typically lands in the 650,000–900,000 coin range depending on market swings and how many high-rated untradeables you already have. The 89-rated segment and the 88-rated squads absorb a disproportionate share of that cost, especially if you buy fodder outright rather than craft it through upgrades.

Key contributors to the price:

• Five required TOTW items, which often sit above discard price during promo windows
• Multiple 90- and 89-rated golds needed to balance the top squads
• Three separate 88-rated squads, which heavily drain 86 and 88 OVR fodder

In the tradeable market, Ronaldinho’s higher-rated Winter Wildcards Icon (94 OVR) and his Base Icon both sit well above the SBC value. The SBC version effectively offers a cheaper, slightly toned-down alternative that is still significantly out of reach for most squads via transfer market purchase.

How Winter Wildcards Ronaldinho plays in-game

The 88 OVR Winter Wildcards Icon Ronaldinho is best described as an attack-first creator-finisher hybrid rather than a deep playmaker. The card keeps much of Ronaldinho’s trademark dribbling and flair, but trims back raw shooting and passing numbers compared to his 93 and 94 OVR versions.

On the ball, the combination of 5★ skills, 90 dribbling, and Rapid+ makes him extremely difficult to dispossess. Rapid+ specifically improves his first steps out of skill moves and tight turns, which fits line-breaking runs from LW and LM or sharp cuts inside from CAM.

Shadow Striker++ as a CAM role pushes him toward late box entries and shooting positions rather than sitting deep to dictate play. That pairs well with strikers who prefer to link up rather than always be the main finisher.

Where he is weaker is long-range playmaking. The passing stat line and lack of dedicated passing PlayStyles mean driven through balls and long diagonals are less reliable than what his prime and full Winter Wildcards Icon versions offer. He is most effective when you use short combinations, quick one-twos, and skill-driven carries into space.

How he compares to other Ronaldinho versions

The 88 OVR card clearly sacrifices some raw efficiency but introduces a distinct Rapid-focused profile. In tight games where acceleration and dribbling open up chances more than long passing, he performs well above his rating, especially against slower fullbacks.

Is the Ronaldinho Winter Wildcards SBC worth completing?

The answer depends on how you value icons, how much untradeable fodder you hold, and what role you need in attack.

Reasons to complete it:

• You want a top-tier, end-game capable LW/LM/CAM with 5★ skills and elite dribbling, but cannot afford his 93 or 94 OVR versions.
• You enjoy skill-based play and take defenders on frequently, maximizing the value of Rapid+ and Ronaldinho’s animations.
• You have a surplus of high-rated fodder and TOTW cards from rivals, champs, or upgrade packs, and want a long-term icon in your club.

Reasons to skip or delay:

• You prefer wide playmakers who specialize in long passes and crossing rather than carrying the ball.
• Your current attack already features multiple high-budget skillers, making the marginal upgrade less compelling for 14 squads of fodder.
• You are saving coins and cards for future Winter Wildcards or Team of the Year content.

For many players, the most sensible approach is to unlock the loan segment first, test Ronaldinho in a few key matches, and then decide whether to commit fodder over several days using upgrade SBCs to restock as you go. When built gradually from untradeables, the SBC offers strong value for a unique card that should remain usable deep into the EA FC 26 cycle.