An entirely new Show Time skill for the first time in a while is here, and as expected, we have a tempting pack to celebrate it. eFootball 2026 brings the Epic Shadow Hunt pack, featuring Paolo Maldini, Fabio Cannavaro, and the debuting Daniele De Rossi.
The main talking point here is obviously Shadow Hunt, a new Show Time skill focused on defensive recovery and tracking runners. And honestly, KONAMI couldn’t have picked a more fitting trio to debut it.
So this pack isn’t just about whether the cards themselves are good. It’s also about how impactful Shadow Hunt actually feels in gameplay, whether the skill changes defensive performance noticeably, and if these versions are worth targeting over existing top-tier defenders.
eFootball 2026 Epic Shadow Hunt players
Fabio Cannavaro
- Position: CB
- Playing Style: Destroyer
- Show Time Skill: Aerial Fort and Shadow Hunt
Cannavaro cards have always been about one thing first: ground defending. Even now, this still looks like one of the cleanest defensive stat profiles you’ll find on a CB. Everything about the card screams aggressive defending.
High tackling, awareness, balance, acceleration, and physical contact, all packed into a very mobile defender profile. Shadow Hunt actually fits him perfectly, too, because recovery defending and chasing runners was always one of Cannavaro’s biggest strengths.
The funny part is the Aerial Fort skill because Cannavaro is still very short for a CB. In fact, he’s basically the shortest player with Aerial Forte alongside Baresi. So while the skill definitely helps, it’s not magically turning him into a giant aerial monster against taller strikers.
Against players around his height, though, the aerial game should still feel surprisingly solid because his jumping and timing are ridiculous. This honestly might be one of the best Cannavaro cards when purely looking at stats. The only concern will always be whether players are comfortable using a shorter CB in the current crossing-heavy meta.
Suggested Skills: Heading, Fighting Spirit
Suggested Booster(s): Shutdown, Defending
Suggested Progression Points Allocation for Fabio Cannavaro
| Shooting | Passing | Dribbling | Dexterity | Lower Body Strength | Aerial Strength | Defending | GK 1/2/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
Paolo Maldini
- Position: LB
- Playing Style: Defensive Full-back
- Show Time Skill: Long Reach Tackle and Shadow Hunt
The older Italy Maldini was already considered one of the best defensive fullbacks in the game, and this feels like an upgrade in all the right areas. Long Reach Tackle, combined with Shadow Hunt, is a scary combination for a defender like Maldini.
Those recovery situations and interceptions should feel ridiculous with his player ID already being top tier defensively. At LB, this card just looks complete. Pace, defending, aerial ability, stamina, passing, everything is there.
And unlike a lot of defensive fullbacks, Maldini still contributes offensively when needed because of how smooth and intelligent he feels on the ball. This is exactly the type of LB profile many teams are missing right now.
Most top cards are either attacking fullbacks or CBs forced wide, so Maldini is like a proper defensive LB who still gives enough going forward, which I feel isn’t needed but still. You can absolutely use him at CB too, and the CB build looks insane stat-wise.
But personally, I still prefer him at LB because there are already so many great CB options in the game, while truly dominant defensive left-backs are much rarer. Honestly, if someone is pulling from this pack, it’s mainly because of Maldini.
Suggested Skills: Pinpoint Crossing, One Touch Pass, Aerial Superiority, Heading, Through Passing
Suggested Booster(s): Stealing, Defending, Shutdown
Suggested Progression Points Allocation for Paolo Maldini (LB Build)
| Shooting | Passing | Dribbling | Dexterity | Lower Body Strength | Aerial Strength | Defending | GK 1/2/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 0 |
Suggested Progression Points Allocation for Paolo Maldini (CB Build)
| Shooting | Passing | Dribbling | Dexterity | Lower Body Strength | Aerial Strength | Defending | GK 1/2/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 0 |
Daniele De Rossi
- Position: DMF
- Playing Style: Anchor Man
- Show Time Skill: Phenomenal Pass and Shadow Hunt
Since this is De Rossi’s debut card, there are really a lot of things we can’t be sure about, but the profile itself looks really solid. Very proper Anchor Man setup. Strong defensively, aggressive, physically reliable, and good enough on the ball to keep possession and move it forward.
Phenomenal Pass is a decent ST skill addition. Shadow Hunt would help, in theory, to read counters and fast tracking of runners. However, there are a few negatives. One is that DMF is already one of the most stacked positions in the game right now.
So while this is definitely a good card, he also has a lot of competition from other elite Anchor Men. Also, a lack of proper Show Time skills for a defensive midfielder is a big hit. The time is such that we get value only from those top-tier picks, and De Rossi lacks a lot to be in that chart.
Suggested Skills: Double Touch, Heading, Through Passing, Low Lofted Pass, Fighting Spirit
Suggested Booster(s): Hard Worker, Defending
Suggested Progression Points Allocation for Daniele De Rossi
| Shooting | Passing | Dribbling | Dexterity | Lower Body Strength | Aerial Strength | Defending | GK 1/2/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 0 |
Should you spin for the Epic Shadow Hunt pack in eFootball 2026
This is a tempting pack, I would say. You have got two amazing defensive cards in Maldini and Cannavaro, and they rightly belong to the SS category. However, all eyes are on the World Cup, where you might end up lucky and Epic or Big Time options guaranteed with a 1500 coin pack.
| Tier | Players |
|---|---|
| SSS (Endgame) | Paolo Maldini, Fabio Cannavaro |
| SS (Excellent) | Daniele De Rossi |
| S (Strong) | None |
| A (Good) | None |
| B (Average) | None |
| C (Below Average) | None |
Pack Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Read other eFootball articles:
- eFootball 2026 Show Time Worldwide Selection Contract: Who should be your 9th Anniversary Campaign player pick
- The FIFA World Cup 26 license dilemma: Why no major football game has secured it yet
- eFootball 2026: Epic, Big Time, and Show Time Player Tier List
- eFootball 2026 Big Time and Epic National All Stars pack review
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