In EA Sports FC 25, the pursuit of the perfect Ultimate Team (UT) has never been more intense. As the game nears the end of its annual cycle and the FUTTIES promo drops waves of overpowered pink cards into the player pool, a new race has begun: building the first-ever 98-rated Ultimate Team. While 97-rated squads have been the benchmark of excellence for most of the season, FUTTIES now makes it possible—and for the EA FC 25 Coins most dedicated grinders, inevitable—to achieve the elusive 98-rated team.

Here’s a full breakdown of what it takes to assemble this monstrous squad: from the best pink and special cards, to chemistry tricks, to the untradeable grind and strategic fodder management that make it all come together.

Why 98-Rated Matters in FC 25
Historically, FUT players have celebrated 95 and 96-rated teams as the pinnacle of squad building. But with the introduction of highly boosted cards through promos like FUTTIES, Make Your Mark, and the final Evolutions, a 98-rated Ultimate Team is now within reach. Achieving this milestone not only signifies a jaw-dropping level of squad quality but also reflects countless hours of intelligent grinding, savvy SBC completion, and proper pack opening strategy.

Key Requirements for a 98-Rated Squad
To build a 98-rated squad, it’s not just about loading your team with 98+ rated players. There are specific rules that govern how EA calculates the rating:

Starting XI matters most: Only the ratings of your starting eleven and bench contribute to the overall squad rating.

Bench players must also be high-rated: Many overlook this—filling the bench with 95–97 rated players is crucial.

Chemistry does not affect rating, but perfect chemistry ensures every player operates at their peak performance.

Low-rated players can sink your total: Even a single 94-rated or lower card can prevent your team from hitting the 98 threshold.

Best Players for a 98-Rated Squad
To push your team to 98-rated, every slot in your squad must be optimized. Below are the types of players you’ll need:

Attackers (98–99 Rated)
FUTTIES Messi (99) – A must-have. Whether you're using his RW or CAM card, this is one of the highest-rated players in FC 25.

FUTTIES Ronaldo (99) – The dream striker. With elite shooting and physicality, Ronaldo boosts your team both in rating and performance.

FUTTIES Mbappé (99) – His pink card has every major stat in the high 90s, and he’s among the most used players in top-rated squads.

Midfielders (97–99 Rated)
FUTTIES Bellingham (98) – A powerhouse box-to-box CM who is vital to raising your team’s average.

TOTS Gullit Icon (97–98) – Combines defensive and offensive prowess and boosts the squad’s rating with Icon chemistry links.

FUTTIES Pedri (98) – Offers fluidity and five-star skills, making him both meta and rating-friendly.

Defenders (97–99 Rated)
FUTTIES Varane (98) – Dominant in both rating and gameplay.

FUTTIES Theo Hernández (98) – A top-rated fullback with explosive pace and strength.

FUTTIES Walker or Carlos Alberto (98) – Both bring meta agility and high ratings to the defense.

Goalkeepers
FUTTIES Van der Sar (97–98) or FUTTIES Courtois (98) – A high-rated GK is essential and usually cheaper than an outfield counterpart.

Bench
To sustain a 98-rated squad, your bench must include six to seven 97+ rated players. Think FUTTIES Son, TOTS Kimmich, Make Your Mark stars, or high-rated End of an Era SBC cards like Müller or Modrić.

Best SBCs and Evolutions to Complete
SBC Priorities:
Premium FUTTIES SBCs (Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappé) – These are non-negotiable if you're targeting a 98 squad.

End of an Era SBCs – Usually rated 97+, with good value for fodder.

ICON SBCs (Gullit, Zidane, Ronaldinho) – Combine high rating with nostalgia and link versatility.

Top Evolutions:
FUTTIES Evolutions allow you to upgrade select players to 97+ rated.

Best candidates: João Neves, Jamal Musiala, and Alejandro Garnacho, who receive meta stat boosts and top-tier ratings.

Fodder Management Strategy
Achieving a 98-rated team requires 20–25 players rated 97 or higher. You’ll need hundreds of 86–91 rated cards to complete all necessary SBCs.

Tips:

Grind 82+ and 85+ x10 repeatable upgrades daily.

Save packs for FUTTIES Team 3 and 4, where card power will peak.

Hit every objective, especially Milestones and FUTTIES Cup wins that reward high-rated untradeables.

Utilize Bronze Pack Method (BPM) and League SBCs to recycle fodder.

Maximizing Chemistry with Icons and FUT Heroes
While chemistry doesn’t impact rating, getting 33/33 allows all players to hit full stats. This means using Icons, FUTTIES Heroes (like Yaya Touré, Ginola), and strong club/nation links (PSG, Real Madrid, Portugal, France) ensures your 98-rated team isn’t just high on paper—it’s elite on the pitch.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Endgame Flex
Building the first 98-rated squad in FC 25 is a feat of dedication, planning, and finesse. It requires mastering the SBC market, grinding objectives, wisely investing in the right FUTTIES players, and optimizing your team from the starting XI to the bench.

With FUTTIES Team 2 already featuring 99-rated legends like Messi and Ronaldo, and even more top-tier content on the horizon, the dream of building the perfect 98-rated team is no longer a fantasy—it’s a goal within reach for hardcore Ultimate Team players.

So stock up your fodder, grind every daily SBC, and cheap FC Coins chase those pink cards. The 98-rated club is calling—and it’s the ultimate flex in FC 25.