ICON Moments Roberto Carlos Review

If you tuned in to the Butragueño review then you probably had a good idea that this was coming and already know some of the details regarding chemistry styles and positioning.  However, a quick recap for those of you that didn’t read or simply have the memory of a goldfish like myself… Here is what went down.  Due to a lack of content, we shifted gears this weekend and opted to look at some Prime ICON Moments cards given their rapidly decreasing prices despite their overall quality compared to what is out there.  The shift to a 3-5-2 formation this weekend (which I am quite liking by the way) allowed for a focus on the aforementioned Butragueño up top, while also being able to look at a classic left back option in Roberto Carlos.  Of course with the formation change I was able to play Carlos in a role to better use his attacking abilities playing on the left flank of the midfield 5.  Despite the added attacking responsibilities I still opted for a defensive focused chemistry style as the ANCHOR just seems to suit this card perfectly and worked well throughout the weekend.  While the Brazilian is currently applying his trade in Sunday League matches, he was certainly back to his Prime all weekend long in the following squad:                  

Starting Formation:

Overall

Rating: 9.5/10
Pace Rating: 9.5/10
Dribbling Rating: 9.5/10
Shooting Rating: 9/10
Passing Rating: 9/10
Physical Rating: 10/10
Defending Rating: 10/10

This formation was quite literally made for this card and since the review, I have sold the Brazilian and during my Division Rivals matches and FUT Champs qualification, I was certainly missing him already.  The card has a rapid feel to it and was solid defensively while also contributing to the good things that I was able to put together offensively.  I have been using 88 Theo Hernandez a lot lately and while I know he is a favorite amongst many pros, I am not sure that he has done anything for me that I would not trust Roberto Carlos to do even in a back four.  Of course, there is a massive price difference, but I am just speaking from a performance perspective, this card has it all.                 

Main Statistic - Defending

Defending Rating: 10/10
Physical Rating: 10/10
Pace Rating: 9.5/10

It all starts with the pace, doesn’t it?  If a wingback does not have the pace and quickness to deal with similarly rapid wingers then they are not far away from the avoid pile.  With 99 ACCELERATION & 98 SPRINT SPEED on a 168cm | 5’6 card, you can imagine just how fast Roberto Carlos can motor up and down the wing.  I wasn’t really expecting him to be back as much in defense, but the HIGH | HIGH work rates had the Brazilian in position to help out 95% of the time.  But maybe ‘help out’ isn’t the best term of phrase because what this card did defensively this weekend was closer to a master class than just simply helping.  The 99 INTERCEPTIONS, 98 STANDING TACKLE & 99 SLIDING TACKLE were just part of the equation and it felt like this card was constantly everywhere doing everything to get the ball back.  The key concern from the outset was always going to be his size in those challenges, but the 94 STRENGTH held up perfectly and my opponents found very little success down the Brazilian’s flank all weekend. 

Main Attribute - Attacking

Dribbling Rating: 9.5/10
Shooting Rating: 9/10
Passing Rating: 9/10
Weak Foot: ★★

Last year I completed a review of Roberto Carlos as a central midfielder to try and change it up a little from a straight forward review and was pleasantly surprised with how he dominated the center of the pitch.  The key was how fast I could transition with the pace and dribbling Carlos possessed and the problems he caused opponents were endless.  With this card, I felt a lot of the same pace, power & shiftiness that were the same positive attributes as last year.  The 80 AGILITY & 88 BALANCE does not scratch the surface of how this card feels on the ball and some of the turns I could maneuver with the left stick dribbling felt quick and crisp, rivaling some of the better attacking dribblers I have used.  The problem that did arise with playing Carlos in the middle of the pitch was the 2 STAR WEAK FOOT and the knowledge that at some point you would have to work it back to that wand of a left foot.  With this review and in this formation that was never an issue… not once.  The shots I hit were all cross body and with the 99 SHOT POWER & 97 LONG SHOTS, they were driven with serious venom.  Even the 85 FINISHING didn’t seem to impede the quality of finishing and keepers in general found the velocity of the strikes too much to handle.  While the 84 SHORT PASSING & 83 LONG PASSING could have been sharper, I was still happy with the 91 CROSSING and I think the video does Carlos justice in illustrating the accuracy and ability to sling balls into the box. 

Value/Coins & Good vs. Bad

Value/Coins Rating: 5/5
Good vs Bad Rating: 4/5

1.2 million coins is a steep price to pay for a wingback and might be a 4/5 rating for that reason alone.  However, in this position, with the expectation of both defence and attack… The performance I witnessed this weekend would be extremely difficult to match.  The ability to simply slot back in as a left back with any formation change was also a squad building benefit and like I said before, I am confident you could deploy the Brazilian in the midfield later in matches needing some drive in the mid for that late equalizer.

My one and only complaint with this card… I did not get ONE single chance to hit a free kick during my review of the Brazilian.  I can’t believe it.  Perhaps it was my weekend tweet about Mehmet Yildiraz that triggered the Referee Association to deny me any opportunities to add a magical moment to the video?  But regardless I can’t believe it and am sad to report I can’t speak to his quality.. although I am sure it is there.   

Closing Words

I think that the performance and review speak for themselves with my feelings on this card.  5 goals and 10 assists from a LM is up there with some of the best CAM performances I have had in the 4-2-2-2 this entire year.  You mix in the defensive contributions that those same CAMs never provide and you have the reason that I am struggling to continue playing this formation since the Brazilian moved on from the squad. Seriously, it has not been the same and my results have fallen off and one key reason comes from a lack of players able to put in the performances that Carlos did for me this weekend.  As a LB, I think you find numerous replacements and for a lot cheaper.  But as a LM in a formation where you want contributions at both ends of the pitch… there are not much better out there.  Hoping you are safe and well.  Cheers for reading.
 

Game Stats:
 

Game Highlights: