Introduction to Thunderstruck Raphinha

The Thunderstruck promotion has just landed, introducing a fresh batch of upgradeable players into the game.

At first glance, the stat boosts on offer don’t seem particularly impressive—there aren’t any dramatic upgrades that would usually cause card prices to surge.

Ironically, this often means the market reacts in the opposite way, with prices climbing quickly despite the modest improvements.

It’s always interesting to see how player value is influenced by perception rather than just raw stats.

Within this promo, the selection of cards that are both affordable and worth testing is fairly limited.

After some consideration, Barcelona’s rapid winger Raphinha was chosen for review.

His base version was a standout performer early in the year, so it’s intriguing to find out whether his upgraded Thunderstruck item maintains that high level, especially with changes to his PlayStyle+ attribute.

Squad Setup and Positioning

Another weekend brought another chance to test formations, sticking with the 4-4-2(2) but feeling increasingly drawn toward the 4-5-1(2) thanks to its recent strong performances.

Raphinha was deployed at LM, taking on an INSIDE FORWARD++ role—a natural fit given his attributes perfectly suited for explosive wing play.

Reflecting on last weekend’s success with Chiesa, whose pace thrived under the FINISHER Chemistry Style, it made sense to try the same approach with Raphinha in hopes of boosting his attacking output.

With the lineup finalized, the stage was set to see if Raphinha could truly stand out and make a significant impact throughout the weekend’s matches.

Key Questions: Passing & Finesse Shot Analysis

Heading into this review, I was focused on two main aspects:

First, could Raphinha utilize his impressive speed on the wing if his passing wasn't up to par? After playing five matches, it became clear that his passing was reliable enough—he consistently broke past defenders and delivered accurate balls, resulting in an assist per game. His combination of pace and dribbling set up plenty of scoring opportunities for teammates.

Second, I wanted to see how dependable his finesse shots were when using his weaker right foot, especially during crucial moments. While he managed to score several times with his right, there were also some straightforward chances that he failed to convert. Because of these missed opportunities, I wouldn't recommend relying on his right-footed finesse shots when it matters most.

Dribbling and Pace Breakdown

Raphinha stands out for his exceptional dribbling, making it feel effortless to maneuver in even the tightest spaces.

His left-stick control is top-tier, supported by impressive stats like 95 Agility and 98 Dribbling, allowing him to weave past defenders with ease.

The combination of Explosive AcceleRATE and Quick Step Plus empowers quick changes of direction and immediate acceleration, punishing opponents who commit too early.

When it comes to pure speed, Raphinha is certainly fast, but he doesn’t quite reach the absolute elite level seen in some other recent cards.

Despite having 92 Sprint Speed and access to the Rapid PlayStyle, there were moments when defenders managed to catch up during breakaways, which was less common with players like Chiesa or Osimhen.

Some attribute this slight shortcoming to his 83 Balance, which might subtly affect his sprinting ability, but the interplay between Quick Step and Explosive appears to be a more significant factor.

Interestingly, the base version of Raphinha offers a slightly better synergy for pace due to its different PlayStyle configuration.

Overall, Raphinha excels at dribbling and short bursts of acceleration, making him devastating in one-on-one situations, though his top-end sprinting may not always leave defenders behind.

With four-star skill moves and an arsenal of PlayStyles—Quick Step Plus, Rapid, Relentless, Trickster—he remains a dynamic and unpredictable attacker on the ball.

Value for Coins Assessment

When evaluating Raphinha’s Thunderstruck card, it stands out as an enhanced version of his Inform, though not necessarily a game-changer.

The potential upgrades—such as two base PlayStyles and all ++ Roles—do add some appeal, but none are likely to make him exceptionally dominant on the pitch.

A notable point is that he features INSIDE FORWARD++ for both positions, which are highly favored by many players; however, this means there’s limited room for further improvement in this area.

Essentially, what you’re getting is a slightly upgraded Inform valued at over 600k coins, but with QUICK STEP instead of the preferred RAPID, which may be a letdown for those seeking more explosive pace.

Comparing his stats to cards like Scream Di Natale at LM, Raphinha holds up well in terms of value, but he lacks strong chemistry links, which could impact your squad building options.

His tally of 14 goals and 5 assists reflects solid performance, yet the restricted position choices and overall cost make the card feel somewhat overpriced right now.

Shooting and Passing Performance

Raphinha impresses with his finishing skills, particularly when striking with either foot using his laces.

His 97 FINISHING rating ensures reliability in front of goal, especially for shots to both the far and near posts.

Left-footed finesse shots are highly effective, while right-footed finesse attempts could use refinement.

However, the card’s 87 SHOT POWER and 83 LONG SHOTS limit the effectiveness of right-footed efforts, reducing impact when cutting inside.

Despite this, Raphinha managed a respectable tally of 14 goals, proving he is a capable scorer.

Adding more shot variety, such as a LOW DRIVEN option, would enhance his attacking threat further.

Passing capabilities are solid, though they could benefit from PlayStyle upgrades.

A combination like LOW DRIVEN and TIKI TAKA would elevate both shooting and passing attributes.

Even without these enhancements, Raphinha stands out among speedy players previously reviewed, thanks to his 86 SHORT PASSING, which supports team play during long runs.

His 88 VISION and 87 CROSSING contribute to his ability to create scoring opportunities for teammates, rounding out his offensive skill set.

Physicality and Weaknesses

Raphinha’s physical attributes can be misleading, especially when looking at his overall 77 Physical rating.

While he excels in agility and responsiveness—particularly with left-stick dribbling around the box—it becomes clear that his strength is lacking once defenders apply pressure.

Despite being able to maneuver effortlessly and retain possession in tight spaces, Raphinha struggles to hold off opponents due to his low 67 Strength, which is masked by his impressive 93 Stamina.

This combination often places him among cards with similar physical stats, but in practice, he isn’t as resilient or “jammy” as those numbers might suggest.

Ultimately, while he feels slick and nimble, don’t expect him to muscle through challenges or win physical battles against stronger players.

Final Verdict and Recommendation

While some may disagree with this assessment, my experience with Raphinha's FC 26 90 Thunderstruck card left me somewhat disappointed in certain areas.

The transition from RAPID to QUICK STEP felt like a significant downgrade, impacting his overall effectiveness on the pitch.

Additionally, the absence of any 5 STAR skills or weak foot abilities limits his versatility compared to other available options.

There also appear to be only minor improvements expected for this card in the near future, and several important stats are lacking when compared to similar players recently reviewed.

Despite these drawbacks, Raphinha still performed well, managing nearly 20 goals in just 5 matches—a respectable achievement.

However, given the current alternatives, I would recommend considering other choices if you’re seeking the best value and performance.

Thanks for taking the time to read this review, and wishing you the best in your games!

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