FIFA 23Ultimate Team is packed with hundreds of high-rated cards to choose from as you build your squad. While numerous current players have fantastic cards to collect, some of the best FUT cards are Icons – legends of the sport. These cards are as rare as any and have in-game stats and performances to warrant it.
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While Icons are few and far between, you may have collected a handful by this point to sift through. While every Icon card features decent stats, in-game animations and special traits play a massive role in determining the quality of a player. Therefore, the best FUT Icon cards aren’t merely the highest rated, but the ones that will consistently perform well in your starting 11.
10TOTY Van Der Sar – 92 Overall
Few superlatives can describe precisely how well Edwin Van Der Sar plays in-game, earning him the title ofthe best Icon goalkeeper in FIFA 23. These mercurial players are difficult to judge, as you will rarely be controlling your netminder during the course of a game, save for a few kicks here and there or a run out to cut down an angle.
That said, Van Der Sar simply makes saves more reliably than other goalies, as his excellent stats strike a balance that is difficult to match. You’ll rarely notice him – an excellent quality for a goalkeeper as it means he’s simply doing his job and keeping your opponents at bay.
You may begin to notice when he makes several incredible saves back-to-back, though.
9FUT Birthday Maldini – 95 Overall
If you’re looking to shore up your defense, then there simply isn’t a betterdefensive Center Back in FIFAthan Maldini. He boasts an extremely rare five-star Skill Moves, something rarely seen among defenders.
His only major Trait is Team Player, but he performs so well and makes those around him better.
Knowing you have Maldini at the back allows you to use your offensive players to their fullest, especially your fullbacks on the flank. Being able to dash down the line knowing that you won’t be exposed with Maldini guarding your goal is freeing.
He seems to magnetize players when defending, making him a brick wall when you stay close.
8Shapeshifters Zambrotta – 94 Overall
If you’ve never heard of Gianluca Zambrotta, then now is the time to familiarize yourself with this FIFA gem. Zambrotta is a force to be reckoned with in midfield due to his incredible work rates and excellent animations.
Certain players, like Zambrotta, are lucky to have animations that are quick, tight, and overall very favorable.
If you like to play with finesse, then Zambrotta possesses both the Flair and Flair Passes traits to make his performances really glitter. However, Zambrotta needs no frills, as he is a workhorse on defense, but also boasts quick transition speed to move the ball forward after a defensive play.
7FUT Birthday Kaka – 93 Overall
Kaka is a perfect choice if you favorhigh-skilled midfielders in FIFA 23. While he’s somewhat weak on the ball and easy to out-muscle, Kaka is a finesse player and a magician in the midfield when used properly. If you want to use him to his potential, then start practicing your Skill Moves.
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Kaka’s play style extends to his Traits, with Flair, Flair Passes, and Outside Foot Shot to headline his best attributes. With sublime Dribbling and Passing to augment his ability to go one-on-one, Kaka has all the tricks you could need to drive play into your opponent’s box.
6FUT Birthday Jairzinho – 93 Overall
Did it just get sweaty in here? Oh, it’s Jairzinho.
If you’ve ever played a match of FUT Champions, then you likely are more than familiar with this Brazilian menace. Simply put, Jairzinho hasevery tool in his arsenal that a winger could ever ask for; his High/High work rates are just the icing on the cake.
Jairzinho has top-tier Pace, Shooting, and Dribbling to go along with Flair, Power Header, and Outside Foot Shot Traits. Despite his size, Jairzinho is notoriously difficult to dispossess, so don’t judge him on numbers alone.
5Trophy Titans Zidane – 97 Overall
If you had to design the perfect midfielder for FUT 23, then you’d essentially just be making a version of Zidane. This French legend is as close to perfect as possible, right down to his Traits.
His work rates are ideal to keep him engaged on both sides of the ball, allowing him to really shine.
Zidane’s Flair and Finesse Shot Traits are excellent if you want to experience his buttery smooth shot animations. It’s impossible to train height, but luckily Zidane’s 6'1" frame allows him to reach for interceptions and then transition the play to the offense, much like Zambrotta.
4Trophy Titan Ronaldo – 97 Overall
Another legend boasting five stars for both his weak foot and Skill Moves, Ronaldo, a.k.a. R9 is an unbelievably good card. As one of the most decorated and renowned players to ever set foot on a pitch, this Brazilian Icon’s reputation is only exceeded by his skills.
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Ronaldo’s combination of height (6'0"), Pace, Shooting, and Dribbling makes him arguablythe best pure striker you may use. Ronaldo’s only weakness is a lack of Physicality, otherwise, he would easily top the charts.
As things, are, be sure to focus on avoiding the defenders to open up space for a shot, then let his Finesse Shot Trait do the rest.
3TOTY Ronaldinho – 95 Overall
Ronaldinho is nothing short of a wizard with a ball, as this unique Icon will surprise you in countless ways. Aside from his astounding stats, Ronaldinho boasts a myriad of Traits, including Flair, Finesse Shot, and Outside Foot Shot to keep the opposing goalkeeper busy.
Despite his low defensive work rate, Ronaldinho’s unique body type allows this card to dazzle on the offensive side with unusual animations and unexpected strength. A unique body type and animations are a massive deal in FIFA, especially when comparing top-tier cards that all have similarly high stats.
Try Ronaldinho out if you can get him; you won’t be able to play without him again.
2TOTY Gullit – 94 Overall
Ruud Gullit is not as flashy as his Brazilian peers, but this card surpasses even Zidane in how incredibly well-rounded it is. Gullit’s 6'3" frame also features a unique body type in addition to the size that allows him to fend off would-be defenders with ease.
While his Skill Moves are four stars, don’t let that fool you as Gullit is silky smooth on the ball and can run an entire game through his play. He is not only rare, but so coveted for his well-rounded abilities that he rarely appears for sale, and is frequently extinct on PC.
While it’s nearly impossible to pack Gullit, his skills on the ball justify the chase.
1Shapeshifters Pele – 99 Overall
Arguably the greatest player to ever lace up the boots, Pele’s Shapeshifter card does his legacy justice, coming in at a 99 overall rating. Stat-wise, Pele is unrivaled, with Pace, Shooting, Passing, and Dribbling that all sit near the top of the charts.
Couple these assets with five-star weak foot and Skill Moves for a perfect pairing.
To bolster his unique body type, Pele also comes with the Outside Foot Shot, Flair, Finesse Shot, and Solid Player Traits; that last one may be an understatement. His Physicality is lacking, but understandably so, given that Pele was 5'8" tall.
Use his Pace and Dribbling to your advantage when running at defenders, but don’t attempt to run straight through them, or you’ll be wasting Pele’s immense potential.
