The 93+ Great of the Game Player Pick is easily one of the most exciting endgame rewards in FC 26. But here's the big question: Why are some players with EAFC 26 Coins pulling 97-rated superstars while others keep seeing duplicate Vieira, Roberto Carlos, and even triple-goalkeeper picks despite finishing Rank 1? Does a higher rating really mean a better reward? This guide breaks down the hidden logic behind the pack, reveals how duplicate-heavy pools affect your results, and explains how to make the smartest selection possible when faced with multiple elite options.

97-Rated Legends Everywhere? Here's What You're Actually Getting
Many players see the "93+ ×3" label and automatically assume they're guaranteed a major squad upgrade.
In reality, the reward pool is far more complicated.
Typical Player Pick Contents:
· 94-97 Rated Icon Cards
· 90-95 Rated Heroes
· Great of the Game Promo Items
· A surprisingly large number of recurring duplicates
For players still building their squads, these rewards can be game-changing.
However, for those who already own multiple top-tier Icons, the overall value often drops dramatically due to duplicate saturation.
The Real Question Isn't:
Can you pull a high-rated card?
It's:
Can you pull a high-rated card you don't already own?

Welcome to Duplicate Hell: The Biggest Threat to Reward Value
After reviewing countless community pack openings, one pattern stands out above all others:
Duplicates are everywhere.
The most frequently recurring cards include:
· Patrick Vieira
· Roberto Carlos
· David Beckham
· Didier Drogba
· Iker Casillas
· Oliver Kahn
The frustrating part?
You can pull a 97-rated Icon...
You can pull a valuable player...
You can even pull a meta card...
But if it's already sitting in your club, its upgrade value instantly disappears.
What should feel like an incredible reward often turns into little more than premium SBC fodder.
Why Does This Happen?
Because the reward pool contains a limited number of highly weighted Icons, causing the same players to appear repeatedly across different accounts.

Reward Tier List: Which Pulls Actually Matter?
Not every 97-rated player is worth celebrating.
The true value of a card depends on one thing:
Can it improve your starting lineup?

S-Tier: Squad-Changing Superstars
If you see one of these, lock it in immediately.
· New 97-Rated Icons
· Elite Meta Attackers
· Players with top-tier PlayStyle+ combinations
· Endgame starters capable of transforming your squad
These cards offer both elite ratings and genuine competitive upgrades.

A-Tier: Strong but Situational Upgrades
Examples include:
· Zico
· Ballack
· High-rated Beckham variants
These cards are excellent performers with strong stats and respectable market value.
However, for fully developed squads, their impact is often limited.

B-Tier: High-Rated Fodder
Common examples include:
· Duplicate Icons
· Duplicate Heroes
· Goalkeeper-heavy picks
· Non-meta attackers
The ratings may look impressive, but their impact on actual gameplay is often minimal.
Many players ultimately find themselves saying:
"I don't really want any of these."

The Smart Player's Selection Formula
One of the biggest mistakes players make is focusing entirely on ratings.
Experienced players focus on something else:
Actual Squad Improvement
Recommended Priority Order:
· New 97-Rated Icon
· Meta Attacker
· Midfield Upgrade
· Elite Fullback Upgrade
· Duplicate High-Rated Cards
For example:
· 97 Henry (new)
· 97 Vieira (duplicate)
· 96 Beckham (duplicate)
The correct choice is obvious:
Take Henry.
Even if Vieira has the same rating, a brand-new elite player offers far greater value than a duplicate.

Why Do These Picks Feel So Inconsistent?
The answer comes down to three systems working together.
1. Duplicate Locking on Icon-Heavy Accounts
The more Icons you own, the harder it becomes to find new ones.
2. Hero Dilution
Heroes occupy a large portion of the reward pool, reducing the perceived frequency of elite Icon pulls.
3. Weight Clustering
Players regularly report outcomes such as:
· Triple Goalkeeper Picks
· Triple Midfielder Picks
· Multiple Icons from the Same Nation
These patterns are often the result of internal weight clustering rather than pure randomness.
As a result:
High Ratings Don't Always Equal High Upgrades.

How Top Players Approach the 93+ Great of the Game Pick
This reward isn't simply a power boost.
It's a roster optimization challenge.
The more complete your squad becomes, the less valuable duplicates become.
The best mindset is:
· Prioritize new players over ratings
· Treat duplicates as resources, not upgrades
· Accept variance as part of the system
· Focus on squad impact rather than card design

Who Benefits Most From This Guide?
New and Developing Players
Benefits:
· Learn how to evaluate rewards correctly
· Avoid rating-based mistakes
· Build stronger squads faster
FUT Champions Competitive Players
Benefits:
· Maximize Rank rewards
· Understand duplicate mechanics
· Improve long-term club management
Endgame Squad Owners
Benefits:
· Set realistic expectations
· Reduce frustration from duplicate pulls
· Make smarter roster decisions

Pro Tip
Don't panic when you pull a duplicate 97-rated Icon.
Many duplicates still carry significant value through:
· High-end SBC requirements with cheap FC Coins
· Future promo content
· Valuable club resources
Remember:
The best card isn't always the highest-rated one—it's the one that genuinely improves your squad.