Prime Moments Lothar Matthäus

I wasn’t sure what to make of the “Optimus Prime” ICONs when they first dropped.  On one hand I am a sucker for dynamic images and new cards, especially SBCs that I can sink all of my coins into.  But on the other hand it does feel like a huge money grab and not making the community aware of the cards prior to their release seems unfair.  However, with Rui Costa (who is actually an extremely reliable card) burning a hole in my pocket I was waiting for a player like Prime Moments Lothar Matthäus to take my squad to the next level. 

Final Score

Final Rating: 9.8/10

This card really has everything and for a 2.8 million coin player (2.4 if you complete the SBC) he ought to.  Defensive juggernaut, passing tactician, offensive creator, and a deadly presence around goal; set this man lose and your team automatically takes a gigantic leap forward.  The H/H work rates on this card are also a nice edition with the combination of 95 STAMINA to make sure that he is pulling the team across the finish line at the end of every match.  As a CDM I did not score as many goals as I would have hoped with this cards 99 LONG SHOTS and 99 SHOT POWER as base traits, which was disappointing.  But for 5 matches I played him as a CM/CAM role in the different formations I employ and he was lights out in and around the box.  

Good vs. Bad

Rating: 5/5

5’9 (174 cm) with a base stat of 74 JUMPING just about sums up the bad with this card.  79 AGILITY is another eye sore but for the most part, I did not notice any slow or wide turns, which was a relief given the amount he costs.  The height really is an issue though and he does require a bigger player alongside him in the CDM positions, but as a CM/CAM, this quickly becomes a non-issue and really depends on how you want to deploy this scud missile.  With 90’s across the board in base PACE, SHOOTING, PASSING AND DEFENDING it is obvious that this card is going to be stacked with all of the traits that makes a midfielder desirable; this card is plain and simple a beast.   

Uniqueness

Rating: 3/5

If you use the FUTBIN website and type in a player filter for 90+ Pace, Dribbling, Shooting, & Defending you get two names: TOTY Modric and OP Matthäus.  I realize that there are players right on the edge of these requirements and a player like OP Gullit is 6’3 with a 5 STAR WEAK FOOT, but he is also 8 million coins.  Regardless, it is clear that in looking at the ridiculous stats on Matthäus’ card that he is a cut above and extremely unique.  But that is where the fun ends and I was/am truly disappointed with this section of the review.  While the dynamic image is a fantastic edition, that is where the good times end.  Two key areas that drive me insane with this card is the lack of a tifo at the start of matches.  I have posed this question everywhere and it is my understanding his OP card does not have this cool feature.  Small detail yes, but still bothered me.  However, nothing compares to the fact that the announcers refuse to say his name!  It is like Matthäus is the black sheep of FIFA and the announcers have been instructed to leave him out of the game.  As you can tell this really bothered me.
 

Link-ability

Rating: 5/5

Easy category when considering an ICON.  It is worth noting that there are not a lot of German players that I will be utilizing near the end of this FIFA (if any) and therefore the ability to strong link players into a team is lost.  Minor detail and not enough to remove a rating point.

Value/Coins

Rating: 5/5

This card is expensive, and this card is fantastic.  I truly feel like you are getting value for money and this card can totally take over a match in the midfield.  I think some arguments might arise over the cost of this SBC versus the cost of the OP Matthäus card on the market.  I do not have an argument and of course, if you have pure coins it is probably a good idea to get the tradeable version so you can sell if things do not work out.  However, if you are like myself and have to use just about all of the untradeables you have obtained throughout the entire year to afford this card then this review is more for you.   

End Game Potential & Closing Words

Rating: 5/5

This is again a no brainer, this card is going to be effective before and after the TOTS and any makeshift attempts after to keep the game alive.  I realized in writing the end game potential for this card it was basically my closing words.  While there will be a few superior cards thrown into the mix there are just too many assets associated with this card to ever decrease the value from the elite tier of players available.  The announcers might not realize he is on the pitch, but your opponent most certainly will.  Cheers for reading. 

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