Reviews

Long review, but if you are on the fence about completing Messi POTM 96 SBC hopefully I can help. So grab a coffee and strap yourself in.

Bit about me and my team.

I am currently skill rating 2014 on Rivals and have achieved Gold 2 consistently since xmas (got Gold 1 for the first time last week). So I am not the best player but I am above average. I play balanced defence and quick build up so I am used to having less possession but when I do get chances they are usually clear cut.

I played Messi with Hunter alongside RTTF hazard in ST 4-1-2-1-2 (Narrow) with Moments Dybala at CAM.

I used roughly 1.3Mil coins (playstation) and loads of untradeable special cards to complete the SBC. This makes me sound rich, yes I have had a fortunate pack which helped but now my club is pretty bare apart from my starting XI. THIS GUY IS EXPENSIVE.

I completed the SBC because I have been a huge Messi fan ever since I watched him score 5 goals in a CL match against Leverkusen back in 2012. Whatever your opinion in the GOAT debate you can't deny he's a superstar.

On to the review...

Pace

With Hunter this card has 99 ACC and it shows. Oh my he sets off like an F1 car even on the turn.

His sprint speed is a little lower coming in at 95. He just about gets reeled in by the faster defenders but if he has a couple of yards its unlikely he will be caught before getting into range of his laser shooting

Shooting

Messi is Messi in this category. Shots from in and around the box almost always find the net if he has adequate space on the pitch. Left foot is a cannon and the right is strong too. I tried some shots from so weird angles and have had my jaw dropped when he has scored or even hit the post from these impossible positions. Finesse and chips are very nice and he even whips out a cheeky outside of the boot when required. I am yet to score a free kick but think that's an issue with my thumbs more than anything.

Passing

He is great at linking up play, I use him in a team with base Pirlo (sold Pirlo's Moments for the base to afford this card) and the two just spray balls about like they are in competition with each other. His through balls always arrive had Hazard and Dybala's feet at the right moment for them to shoot. No complaints here.

Dribbling

Rapid, responsive and down right ridiculous. He doesn't have the 5* but that is no issue. He will turn anyone inside out with his close control. Although he doesn't quite get the whole "tackled and keeps the ball" on the same level as Mbappe he consistently gets lucky and retains the ball in the unlikely occasions your opponent can actually get near him. I mean his stat on his card is 98...

Defending

I don't use this card to defend

Physical and Stamina

This could be the deal breaker for many. Leo is still weak and can get bodied when side to side with a defender. Though with his passing and dribbling I believe can ensure this avoided. His Stamina is relatively low at this stage of the game. I use him on stay forward and conservative interceptions to save his energy and you will be pleased to know that he will last 90 mins no issue. In ET he gets a bit tired but there is no way you would sub him off he is that dangerous.

Closing words

If you have the facilities and he fits in your team, or you just love Messi, I cannot recommend enough. Complete the SBC as he is an endgame card and who knows you may get lucky from the SBC packs. If he is going to completely take all your coins off you then do have a think about how much you want him. He will definitely elevate your game and make you smile.

Will just take this cheeky opportunity to recommend... Hazard RTTF, FS Dest and any Zanetti.

Few words:

Hi, this will be my first review so I hope I do okay. For the last two weeks I was really hoping that Leo will win the La Liga POTM so I would be able to complete him. After completing the Icon player pick, this beautiful little guy costed every last penny. And a little spoiler, worth every last penny. I might be biased since I have been Barca fan since 2010 and I'm watching the Osasuna-Barca game while writing this review.(Messi had a beautiful assist)

I used Messi's regular card in December but replaced him after I packed George Best in base or mid Icon pack

The actual review:

So, I played him as CAM in 41212(2). Only is this Weekend League. His passing was already brilliant on his base card and that remained fairly the same. His finesse shots are wicked, I have never seen a player who shoots finesse shots like this guy. I have used players with the finesse shot trait however these are next level. Absolutely breathtaking. His shooting all and all is great but what would you expect. I applied hunter so his pace was quite good. A lot of people are not using this card because of its lower stamina however, once I set him as a stay forward, I did not feel like it has been an issue.

The thing that surprised me the most about this card is his positioning and attacking spirit. He has extremely aggressive runs. Feels like high attacking work rate. He is always looking for space and making runs.

Conclusion:

Contrary to what some people are saying I do not feel like this card is overpriced. Yes, he costs 2 mil. Yes, he is untradeable. But he is an endgame card.

Firstly, thanks to S8squid01 for an amazing review. I was indeed on fence if I should invest in this card but his/her review helped me make that decision and I am glad I got Messi. This is my first ever review but I almost feel obliged to praise this footballing God so that others who are in doubt can also get him.

About my team

I am a regular Gold 2 player (I stop at 17 wins with 7 to 4 games to spare). Messi takes up the CAM position in my 4-2-3-1 formation with Rooney as my ST, Prime Icon Barnes as LAM and TOTY Kimmich (packed him :)) as my RAM.

I completed Messi coz I realize that both Messi and CR7 are nearing their career ends and wanted to enjoy Prime Messi ..well in his Prime. I have always had Gold Messi in my team since last two editions of FUT.

I have used Basic Chem on him. This makes his Sprint speed 90 which is good enough for me in a CAM role. With basic chem, his passing is maxed out and gives a great +5 boost to his agility.

Pace

In CAM position, he wont get in behind the defense a lot. Thus his acceleration is good enough to beat any CDM/CB closing in just by using left stick and sprint button. If you intend to run in behind defense or or play him ST, then I would suggest Hunter.

Shooting

There are games when you are confused if a half a chance will go in and you wont even dare to take that shot. Well you can drop that worry with Messi. Of course conversion wont be 100% but he will give you that extra goal out of nothing in every other game. His finishing and shot power will not allow you complain one single bit. His finesse are noteworthy. Just make sure you are always hitting the far post with his finesse and it will go it. His shot power and finishing means his 4* left foot feels like 5*. Overall, nothing to complain here.

Passing

With Basic chem, his passing is max out and he becomes really dangerous as a CAM. Even if your ST is running along with opponent CB, a through ball down the middle will at least ensure that the ball will reach feet of ST and if your turn on the touch gets through, you are through on goal. His long passing is a great asset to switch sides esp. when opponent overloads ball side.

Dribbling

This is where this card is bang on money. I am not a skill junkie. I just use fake shot as a skill and that too I had to learn to cancel a tackle into a shot :D. But nevertheless, one can go through the entire defense of opponent by just using L stick dribble and Ball Shielding (L2 on PS). He can turn on a dime and leave even best of CDMs into dust. If you can use that 96 acceleration to create space then he will just go through the entire defense all by himself. And in doing this, he creates a lot of space for other players. You can go all along with him or pass to a free player. My Rooney, Barnes and Kimmich had highest scoring WL just coz Messi was playing as a CAM.

Defense

Good thing is, his jumping is really good and will win you 50-50 second balls every now and then. Something I didn't expect but is a welcome ability.

Physical

His strength and balance (along with ball shielding L2) is good enough to take 2-3 body checks from likes of Boateng or Rijkaard and wont be dispossessed. His stamina might be an issue but his ability is so great that you wont dare take this man off the pitch.

Closing Words

Again, i would like to quote S8squid01 here. He brings back fun to the game. The moment he is on the ball, he gives you enough confidence to run with it and take on defenders. Doesnt matter how tight the space is, you will be encouraged to run with this little genius in little spaces and score a curler from the little gap that opens up. If he fits your team and you have enough fodder, do it!

oh my god what a player, I had just enough fodder to drop his price about 600k and I had to just send it, ive never really used Messi in Fifa because I tend to stick to premier league teams(boring I know) but I'm glad I did him he's rapid, skillful and has amazing shooting and passing. he's an absolute game changer no matter what gameplay feels like and if he isn't scoring he's defiantly assisting, . I sue Messi as a central cam in a 4-2-3-1 in division 1

pace- he's raid and his in game build really helps him feel that much faster

shooting- godly, I've used a lot of these "high end" forwards like Henry, Rooney, Torres and Neymar and Messi is the best but we all know that

passing- perfect, never a misplaced pass and if you think it was misplaced, it wasn't, your forward made a bad run

dribbling- just perfect absolutely zero complaints and I don't see how it can get any better

physicality- I know a big concern with his cards this year is his stamina but I really haven't noticed it, and his strength it fine, I don't expect him to body players but he holds his own

To start off the review I want to say that thus guy is a god. I could finish the review there but I won't. Now this cost me 1.2 mil with fodder from my club and despite I was left on 20k, it was well worth it. He's just a fun card to use, and him and Cruyff up top are unstoppable. His versitility is also incredibly useful, I can play him at ST, CF, CAM, RW, LW and anywhere else in the attack you can imagine. He wins and scores set pieces for fun. His finesse shots are incredible and he scores every opportunity. He is extrodinarly reliable. He also has a massive stamina boost compared to his gold card, which is one of the reasons he is so slept on. His physical isn't a problem because his other stats more than make up for it, and for a 5'7" player it's no suprise.