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Every Thursday after the scheduled maintenance, Konami refreshes weekly player highlights in eFootball 2026. These updates bring new Featured Players, Epic Legends, Ambassadors, and special packs, giving Dream Team managers the chance to sign world-class talent with boosted stats and unique abilities.

If you want to stay competitive in Divisions, Events, and online tournaments, you can’t afford to miss the best players available each week. In this guide, we’ll cover the top weekly stars, what makes them different, how they fit into your squad, and strategies for deciding whether to spend your coins or save them for future highlights.

Why Weekly Highlights Are Important in eFootball 2026

Weekly highlights are more than just flashy cards. They:

• Offer temporary stat boosts inspired by real-life performances.
• Provide unique skill sets not available in standard base cards.
• Can change the meta, making certain formations stronger.
• Add excitement and variety, ensuring squads don’t become stale.

👉 Unlike regular player packs, weekly highlights are time-limited, so once they’re gone, you may not see the same boosted version again for months.

This Week’s Top Players

⭐ Lionel Messi (Epic Ambassador Version)

• Overall: 99 (Max Level)
• Key Stats: Dribbling 96, Passing 95, Finishing 94, Balance 93
• Special Skills: Double Touch, Through Passing, First-Time Shot
• Why He’s a Must-Have: Even in 2026, Messi’s left foot is magical. His Ambassador version gives extra boosts to dribbling and finishing, making him the perfect creative force for Dream Team managers who love possession-based play.

Best Formations:

• 4-3-3 → Right Wing (inverted cut-ins).
• 4-2-1-3 → Central Attacking Midfielder (playmaker role).

⭐ Erling Haaland (Featured Player – Manchester City)

• Overall: 98
• Key Stats: Finishing 97, Physical Contact 95, Speed 93, Heading 92
• Special Skills: Heading, Acrobatic Finishing, First-Time Shot
• Why He’s a Must-Have: Haaland’s real-life dominance translates perfectly into eFootball. With near-perfect finishing and unstoppable strength, he’s the ideal No. 9 for counter-attacking systems.

Best Formations:

• 4-3-3 → Central Striker for direct goalscoring.
• 4-2-2-2 → Paired with a pacey second striker (Mbappé, Yamal).

⭐ Jude Bellingham (Epic Real Madrid Version)

• Overall: 97
• Key Stats: Stamina 94, Dribbling 91, Passing 92, Defensive Awareness 86
• Special Skills: Box-to-Box, Interception, Through Passing
• Why He’s a Must-Have: Few midfielders combine attacking flair with defensive strength like Bellingham. His Epic version makes him the ultimate engine, capable of dominating midfield for 90 minutes.

Best Formations:

• 4-2-3-1 → Defensive Midfielder, controlling both attack and defense.
• 4-3-3 → Central Midfielder in a balanced role.

⭐ Lamine Yamal (Young Ambassador Special)

• Overall: 95 (Upgradeable to 98)
• Key Stats: Dribbling 93, Acceleration 94, Speed 92, Balance 90
• Special Skills: Flip Flap, Double Touch, Through Passing
• Why He’s a Must-Have: At just 16, Yamal already shines in eFootball as a Young Ambassador. His combination of pace, agility, and flair makes him one of the most dangerous wingers available this week.

Best Formations:

• 4-3-3 → Right Wing, cutting in on his left foot.
• 4-2-1-3 → Wide Forward in fast counterattacks.

⭐ Virgil van Dijk (Featured Defensive Wall)

• Overall: 96
• Key Stats: Defensive Awareness 95, Aerial Strength 94, Physical Contact 94
• Special Skills: Blocker, Aerial Superiority, Interception
• Why He’s a Must-Have: If you struggle against powerful strikers like Haaland, Van Dijk is your answer. His strength and composure make him one of the toughest defenders to beat in Dream Team.

Best Formations:

• 4-3-3 → Right Center-Back for aerial control.
• 3-5-2 → Central defender in a back three.

⭐ Kylian Mbappé (Legendary Pack)

• Overall: 98
• Key Stats: Speed 99, Acceleration 98, Dribbling 96, Finishing 94
• Special Skills: Sombrero, Acrobatic Finishing, Double Touch
• Why He’s a Must-Have: Mbappé remains the most broken forward in eFootball. With near-unmatched speed and lethal finishing, he can fit into almost any system and still dominate.

Best Formations:

• 4-3-3 → Left Wing, cutting inside.
• 4-2-2-2 → Paired striker with Haaland for the ultimate combo.

How to Get Weekly Highlight Players

There are several ways to grab these stars:

1. Epic Packs – Premium paid packs containing Ambassadors and Legends.
2. Featured Player Draws – Based on weekly real-world performances.
3. Campaign Rewards – Special events may give guaranteed draws.
4. Match Pass (Premium) – Sometimes includes highlight versions as milestones.

👉 Pro Tip: Save your coins for weekly packs that include multiple top-tier players instead of random draws.

Should You Spend Coins or Save This Week?

Many managers waste coins chasing every highlight. Instead:

• Spend if the week includes multiple players who fit your system (e.g., Messi + Haaland + Van Dijk).
• Save if the lineup doesn’t match your squad needs. Weekly rotations mean another chance is always around the corner.
• Check Announcements: Konami often teases next week’s campaigns after Thursday maintenance.

Advanced Tips for Using Highlight Players

• Boost Team Chemistry: Make sure your manager has the right playstyle to maximize player stats.
• Train Smartly: Use training programs to fix weaknesses (e.g., Yamal’s stamina, Haaland’s passing).
• Rotation Strategy: Don’t force all highlights into your XI—sometimes balance beats hype.
• Mix Experience with Youth: Combine veterans (Messi, Van Dijk) with youngsters (Yamal, Bellingham) for squad stability.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overloading on Attackers: Collecting Messi, Mbappé, Haaland, and Yamal sounds fun, but leaves your defense weak.
2. Ignoring Formations: Always fit the player into your system instead of changing everything for one card.
3. Skipping Training: Even top players need focused training to reach their potential.
4. Spending Coins Blindly: Coins are limited—prioritize based on needs.

FAQs – Weekly Highlights in eFootball 2026

Q1. How often do weekly highlights refresh?
👉 Every Thursday after maintenance.

Q2. Can I get the same highlighted player again later?
👉 Yes, but not guaranteed. Epic versions return in rotations, but Featured Players are linked to real-life form.

Q3. Are Epic Players worth more than Featured Players?
👉 Usually yes, since they have unique stat boosts and are rarer. But some Featured Players (like Haaland) can rival Epics when in top form.

Q4. What’s the best way to save coins for highlights?
👉 Stick to daily login bonuses, weekly challenges, and avoid wasting coins on low-value packs.

Q5. Do weekly highlights work in all game modes?
👉 Yes, they’re fully usable in Dream Team and online divisions.

Final Verdict

Weekly highlights are the lifeblood of eFootball 2026, bringing fresh players, unique stat boosts, and squad-building opportunities. This week’s lineup is packed with global superstars: Messi, Haaland, Bellingham, Yamal, Van Dijk, and Mbappé.

If you’re building a Dream Team, prioritize Messi for creativity, Haaland for goals, Bellingham for balance, Van Dijk for defense, and Mbappé for raw pace.

⭐ Pro Tip: Don’t just chase the highest OVR—build around your playstyle, and you’ll dominate online matches.