EA FC 25 Preseason Review: 99-Rated Antoine Griezmann
After weeks of putting in the hours, the Preseason Crafting Upgrade Completionist objective rewards players with one of the most exciting items we've seen in Ultimate Team history: a 99-rated Antoine Griezmann, alongside an insane collection of packs for both FC 25 and FC 26.
That's right-packs to set you up now and packs to get a head start for next year's grind. Throw in bundles like the 82+ x5, an 85+ x30, and more, and this Preseason reward is an absolute W.
But let's be real. The headline here is Griezmann. So how does he stack up, what role does he best fit in, and is the grind truly worth it?
First Look at 99 Griezmann
When you open up that completionist reward, you're greeted with an outrageous card:
Overall Rating: 99
Positions: CAM, CF, ST
Skill Moves/Weak Foot: 5/5
Dribbling: 99 across the board
Shooting: Maxed finishing and shot power
Passing: Near perfect
Physicality: More than solid
At first glance, this looks like a dream CAM/striker hybrid. His stats cover every key category, but what really sets Griezmann apart are his playstyles and playstyle+ boosts.
Playstyles That Define Him
Griezmann comes with one of the most stacked arsenals of playstyles we've seen:
First Touch+ → Makes receiving the ball silky smooth, even under pressure.
Tiki Taka, Pinged Pass, Technical, Decisive Pass → Turn him into a natural playmaker.
Relentless → Helps him keep pushing in matches, avoiding stamina drop-off.
Acrobatic → Adds flair and effectiveness to volleys.
Finesse+ & Low-Driven+ → These two make him utterly clinical. Whether outside the box or inside tight angles, shots fly into the net.
The only major omissions are Quick Step+ or Long Ball Pass. Without those, he won't burn defenders on the break like R9 or Mbappé can, but he more than makes up for it with his ball control and finishing.
Chemistry Style Choice
With nearly every stat already maxed, chem style debates aren't as important as earlier in the cycle. But Hawk is the standout choice:
Boosts pace (a small but meaningful difference)
Increases shooting, making finesses and low drivens even more absurd
Adds to physicality, letting him hold off bigger defenders
Essentially, Hawk maxes out what's already ridiculous and covers the only small gaps.
Testing Him In-Game
First Match-CAM Role
Lining Griezmann up as a left-sided CAM in a 4-2-2-2, he immediately felt comfortable. His ball security is on another level. Tight dribbles, sharp turns, and little bursts of acceleration gave me options every time he picked up the ball.
Early highlights included:
Drawing fouls with clever footwork.
A cheeky Panenka penalty conversion.
A couple of near-perfect trivela shots that forced Courtois into big saves.
His only limitation in the CAM slot is the lack of long-ball ability. He's better at ground passes, link-up play, and dribbling through midfield than launching direct through-balls. But honestly, that's nitpicking.
Second Match-Striker Role
Next, I pushed Griezmann into a two-striker setup, playing alongside a more physical #9.
This is where he truly shone:
Shadow Striker Runs: Timed arrivals into the box were devastating.
Low-Driven Mastery: His shots skimmed into the corners, unstoppable even against elite keepers.
Finesse Shots: Reds, greens-it didn't matter. With Finesse+, the ball just bent in.
Give-and-Go Play: His interplay with Ronaldinho and Wirtz was pure poetry, often finishing one-touch moves.
Across his first four games, he bagged four goals (and should have had more if not for a disconnect wiping stats).
Strengths
Elite Dribbling & Ball Control: Feels glued to the ball.
5/5 Combo: Shoot, skill, or pass with complete freedom.
Versatility: Can dominate as CAM, second striker, or even lone striker.
Playstyle+ Arsenal: Finesse+ and Low-Driven+ make him one of the most clinical forwards in the game.
Body Type & Balance: Shields the ball incredibly well for his size.
Pack Value: Completing the grind nets massive fodder returns and next year's packs, making it excellent long-term value.
Weaknesses
No Quick Step+: He's quick, but not lightning fast. Top-tier defenders with Quick Step+ can occasionally recover.
No Long Ball Play: Limits his effectiveness as a deeper CAM in formations that rely on switches and long passes.
Redundant for Some Players: If you already did the 98-rated Shapeshifter Griezmann SBC just days ago, this may feel a little cheeky from EA.
The Grind Explained
So, how do you actually secure this card?
The Crafting Upgrade grind is the key. It's repeatable 30 times and works like this:
1.Submit a full bronze squad → get a mix of gold commons and rares.
2.Rinse these into higher SBCs.
3.Repeat.If your club is stacked, this is painless. If not, you'll still find it manageable with how generous EA have made the pack rewards this preseason.
When it's all said and done, you'll not only have Griezmann, but also a mountain of fodder to prep for other SBCs. The 85x30 alone is worth the effort.
Best Roles & Pairings
As a CAM: Perfect in a 4-2-2-2 or 4-2-3-1, linking midfield to attack.
As a Striker: Deadly when paired with a faster, more physical #9. Think R9, Eto'o, or a boosted Honóre.
As a Super Sub: Even in endgame stacked squads, he's 99-rated. Bringing him off the bench guarantees impact.
Chemistry is also flexible. With LaLiga and French links, plus his new Atlético/Madrid hybrid potential, he slots into most teams without issue.
Packs: The Hidden Bonus
Let's not overlook the packs. Beyond Griezmann himself, this grind sets you up with:
FC 25 Ultimate Team packs (usable now).
FC 26 launch packs (redeemable at the start of next year).
High-volume fodder packs: 89x5, 85x30, and more.
For those who love menu grinding, this is an S-tier SBC value return.
Final Verdict
The 99-rated Antoine Griezmann is everything you'd hope for from a Preseason endgame card. He's silky, clinical, versatile, and fun-a true fan-favorite card turned meta monster.
Yes, it's slightly cheeky from EA to drop this right after a 98-rated SBC version. Yes, he lacks Quick Step+. But in actual gameplay, those flaws barely matter.
Rating: 9.5/10
If you're still debating, stop. Get him done and use FC 25 Coins to improve him now. Whether as your star CAM, a second striker, or even a luxury super sub, 99 Griezmann is worth every minute of the grind.
MMOexp FC 25 Team