When you think of football greatness, one name always comes up: Lionel Messi. Even after leaving European club football, Messi’s legacy continues in eFootball 2026, where he remains one of the most loved and effective players.
But the big question is: Is Messi still worth it in 2026’s meta, where speed and physicality dominate? Let’s take a deep dive into his stats, card types, tactics, and gameplay impact.
📜 Messi’s Evolution in eFootball
Messi has been a fan-favorite card since the PES days, and every year Konami updates him to reflect both his real-world status and his legendary career.
- PES 2020–2021: Messi dominated with insane dribbling and free kicks.
- eFootball 2022–2023: His pace started to decline but creativity stayed unmatched.
- eFootball 2024: Meta shifted towards Haaland/Mbappé power, but Messi still thrived as a playmaker.
- eFootball 2025: Messi is now best as a creative force rather than an all-out goalscorer.
👉 If Mbappé is speed and Haaland is power, Messi remains footballing intelligence personified.
⚽ Messi’s Card Types in 2026
- Epic Messi (Barcelona Prime Era)
- OVR: 105+
- Peak dribbling, chance creation, finesse shots.
- Legendary Messi (PSG / Argentina Era)
- OVR: 103–104
- More balanced, slightly less explosive but still magical.
- Standard/Featured Messi
- Seasonal variations, useful but not as strong as Epic.
🔥 Full In-Game Stats (Epic Messi Maxed)
- Dribbling: 97
- Ball Control: 96
- Passing: 95
- Finishing: 94
- Finesse Shot: 98 (special trait effect)
- Speed / Acceleration: 88 / 92
- Balance: 94
- Stamina: 82
- Physical Contact: 70
Gameplay Meaning
- Messi is unmatched in tight spaces.
- He can thread impossible passes → unlocking defenses.
- Finesse shots curl past keepers even from outside the box.
- His stamina is the only major limiting factor.
🏟️ Messi’s Best Positions
- RW (Right Wing) → Traditional role, cutting inside on his left.
- SS (Second Striker) → Best synergy with a fast striker.
- AMF (Attacking Midfield) → Pure playmaker, dictating attacks.
👉 Best formations: 4-3-3 Narrow, 4-2-2-2, 4-2-3-1.
✅ Strengths
- Elite dribbling & close control.
- Pinpoint passing — deadly assists.
- Dead-ball specialist (free kicks, corners).
- Finesse finishing like no other.
- Highly versatile (RW, SS, AMF).
❌ Weaknesses
- Low stamina → often fades by the 70th minute.
- Pace decline → not as explosive as prime Mbappé.
- Physical weakness → can be bullied by strong CBs.
⚡ Best Tactics to Use Messi
- Pair him with a target striker (Haaland, Lewandowski).
- Or with a speedster (Mbappé, Vinícius Jr.) for balance.
- Use him as playmaker in the hole (AMF in 4-2-3-1).
Advanced Instructions
- Free Roaming → lets him drift and create.
- Counter Target → conserves stamina.
- Wing Rotation → unpredictable movement.
How to Train Lionel Messi 108 Blitz Curler in eFootball Mobile
📊 Messi vs Other Forwards (Meta 2026)
| Player | OVR | Style | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Messi | 105 | Creative Playmaker | Dribbling, passing, finesse | Stamina, pace |
| Mbappé | 106 | Goal Poacher | Pace, explosiveness | Passing weaker |
| Haaland | 106 | Target Man | Power, finishing | Dribbling limited |
| Neymar | 104 | Creative WF | Flair, creativity | Stamina, strength |
| Ronaldo | 104 | Fox in Box | Heading, finishing | Link-up play weak |
👉 Messi still dominates in creativity and finesse, but the meta is more speed/power heavy.
🎮 Pro Player Insights
- Pro players often use Messi as SS/AMF rather than pure RW.
- In tournaments, Messi is deployed to break compact defenses.
- Many pair him with Haaland (for power) or Mbappé (for pace).
🧠 Best Teammates for Messi
- Target Man Strikers: Haaland, Benzema.
- Pacey Wingers: Mbappé, Vinícius Jr.
- Creative Midfielders: De Bruyne, Pedri.
- Supportive Fullbacks: Hakimi, Davies (provide width).
🏆 Is Messi Worth It in 2025?
For Beginners
✅ Yes → Easy to use, fun, and instantly improves your attack.
For Competitive Players
⚖️ Depends → If stamina management isn’t an issue, he’s still world-class.
Final Verdict
Messi is still worth signing, not just for nostalgia, but because his creativity and finesse finishing remain unmatched.
Messi 108 Blitz Review – Is He Worth the Coins in eFootball Mobile 2025?
❓ Extended FAQ
Q: Is Epic Messi much better than Legendary Messi?
👉 Yes — better dribbling, higher OVR, more impact.
Q: Can Messi still compete in Division 1?
👉 Yes, but pair him with physical or pacey forwards.
Q: Should I use Messi as a winger or AMF?
👉 RW for cutting inside, AMF if you want him as main playmaker.
Q: What’s his biggest drawback?
👉 Stamina — always sub him or use Counter Target.
✅ Final Thoughts
Even in eFootball 2026, Lionel Messi is not just about nostalgia — he’s still one of the most dangerous playmakers in the game. His dribbling, passing, and finesse finishing remain unmatched, making him a joy to use.
While the game’s meta leans towards speed and power, Messi thrives in the right setup. If you want creativity and magic in your squad, Messi is a must-have.
👉 Final Answer: Messi is still worth it in 2026— maybe not the meta king, but still a unique and deadly card.
