If you follow what players are actually searching and arguing about, a clear shortlist emerges. Young stars who just made headlines, brand names who moved clubs, and flexible creators who fit any system. Here’s a straight, players-first look at who matters for day one, and how to use them.
Lamine Yamal, the tempo breaker
Yamal isn’t just hype. He broke age records at the Euros and delivered in big moments, which is exactly the kind of real-world spark that turns into in-game love. Expect high agility, sharp first touch, and that nasty left-foot whip from the right. In Competitive online play, he’ll be the winger who creates his own half-yard instead of running into traffic. Pair him with a passer who hits early diagonals and a full-back comfortable inverts so Yamal can stay wide, receive on the touchline, cut in, and decide.
Why it trends: the youngest Euro finalist and a highlight-reel assist game on the biggest stage. This stuff lights up search and community chatter.
Endrick, chaos with purpose
Endrick arrived, scored on debut, and never looked out of place. In FC 26 terms that reads like: sticky dribbling in tight zones, near-post menace, and a centre-forward who can also drag centre-backs wide. If you like two-striker shapes, make him the runner next to a bigger nine; in a lone-striker system, keep one interior midfielder close for wall passes.
Why it trends: debut goal at Real Madrid and a rapid rise keeps his name glued to timelines in the Americas and Europe.
Cole Palmer, penalty box brain
Palmer’s breakout wasn’t a blip. He produces in the Premier League and he’s calm under pressure. That usually converts to a CAM/inside-forward who does three things you need online: receives cleanly, picks the killer pass, and finishes from the penalty spot. Put him in the right half-space, give him an overlapping full-back, and let the cut-backs flow. He’s also a chemistry bridge for Premier League hybrids.
Why it trends: top-end goals+assists, high usage in fantasy and fan picks, and a big-club spotlight.
Florian Wirtz, the free 8 everyone wants
Wirtz is the definition of rhythm. He links phases, dribbles through the second line, and makes the final ball look obvious. In FC 26, the free 8/10 space should be his natural zone. Build a triangle: an anchor behind him, a wide runner ahead, and Wirtz between the lines. People love him because he ticks every box modern midfields need.
Why it trends: league player-of-the-season awards, a title-winning year, and a massive summer move that put him in every headline.
Kylian Mbappé, same problem, new team
When Mbappé moves, the internet follows. He’s still the best transition weapon in football, now playing for the biggest spotlight club. In FC 26, pace will still punish, but the smarter play is to treat him as a gravity well. Start him left, force back-lines to shift, then hit the switch to your right-side finisher. If the room opens, go direct. If not, recycle. Either way, he shapes how defences stand.
Why it trends: the Real Madrid transfer was the story of the summer and still drives search spikes whenever he scores.
Build plans that actually win games
Career Mode:
Pick an identity first. If you want a possession team, the Yamal–Wirtz axis is perfect. Yamal holds width, Wirtz knits play. Scout a ball-winning six who can pass short. Sign a left-back who tucks in so your rest defence holds at 3-2 when you lose it. If you want a vertical side, centre the project on Mbappé and Endrick. Buy runners on both flanks, a CM who hits early passes, and a centre-back with recovery pace. Training plan should reflect it: attacking patterns, then defensive transitions.
FUT:
Start with a spine. One DM who can intercept, one creator (Palmer or Wirtz), one finisher.
Use league links. Premier League cores (Palmer) and La Liga cores (Mbappé/Endrick) make hybrids easy.
Don’t chase overall. First-touch quality and turn radius matter more online than a plus-one rating.
How to pair them
Yamal + overlapping RB: keeps him on the ball in isolation. Add a left-footer on the opposite wing to threaten the back post.
Endrick + target nine: second balls and quick layoffs. Create a through-ball lane by dragging the near CB.
Palmer at RF with an inverted LB: Palmer cuts in; the LB steps into midfield and you get a box midfield in possession.
Wirtz + destroyer DM: Wirtz roams; the DM screens counters. It protects your centre-backs.
Mbappé + early switch: start left, then flip to the right when the block collapses. Free tap-ins if your RW times the far-post run.
Snapshot: roles at a glance
Player
Best starting role
Lamine Yamal
RW inverted creator
Endrick
ST runner/second striker
Cole Palmer
CAM / RF inside-forward
Florian Wirtz
Free 8 / advanced 10
Kylian Mbappé
LF / CF transition spearhead
Final take
Trends matter because they reveal where the meta will settle. Yamal gives you ball-on-string wing play. Endrick brings chaos with end product. Palmer and Wirtz make your attacks tidy. Mbappé bends whole defences. Start with the roles, not the ratings. Build lanes for your best players to do their thing, and you will feel the win rate move.