eFootball 2026 hasn’t exactly slowed down when it comes to player releases. Between Epics, Show Time cards, and the recent wave of Big Time attackers, KONAMI has made sure players are constantly spoiled for choice.
While centre forwards usually steal the spotlight, the Second Striker (SS) role has quietly become one of the most influential positions in the current meta. A good SS isn’t just about goals; they do the hard work like timing runs, linking play, finding pockets of space, and completely changing how an attack flows.
With so many options available, figuring out who actually performs at the top level is where things get tricky. So, cutting out the noise, here’s a straightforward ranking of the Top 10 Best Second Strikers (SS) in eFootball 2026.
Top 10 Best SS in eFootball 2026
For this ranking, all card rarities are included, with no specific exclusions. The focus is strictly on players who naturally excel in the Second Striker role, offering a balance of movement, creativity, and goal involvement rather than acting as pure out-and-out strikers.
To keep things consistent, only players featuring Dummy Runner, Deep-Lying Forward, Hole Player, or Creative Playmaker playstyles have been considered. While many attackers can be deployed at SS, wide forwards, and hybrid profiles that don’t fully embrace the SS role have been intentionally left out.
Most importantly, this list is built around the current meta. As playstyles, updates, and balance changes evolve, these rankings can, and likely will, shift over time with new arrivals.
1. Lionel Messi
- Card Version: Big Time New Year
- Playing Style: Creative Playmaker
This Messi card arrived as the joint-highest-rated card in the game at the time, and honestly, the performance backs that up. The biggest thing I noticed straight away is his touch frequency. I had his MSN Big Time, and I can see the difference, a positive one.
Simply put, he’s ridiculous on the ball. He’s the smoothest and fastest-feeling dribbler I’ve used, and once he gets into space, defenders simply can’t keep up. His shot power is also much better than expected, which helps a lot with stunning shots from around the box. SS is the role where he will pounce on scoring chances while feeding assists. Truly the Number Uno.
2. Ruud Gullit
- Card Version: Epic AC Milan
- Playing Style: Hole Player
A proper all-action second striker, and one of those cards that immediately feels different once you put him on the pitch. Hole Player Gullit is everywhere, dropping deep, arriving late in the box, and constantly involved in attacking phases without needing to be forced into play.
The reason I have this monster at SS because he is complete. He can carry the ball, hold it under pressure, and still arrive in scoring positions. Although he is a top-ranked card when used at CF as well, it feels like we don’t utilize the best of him there.
3. Kaká
- Card Version: Epic Breakthrough Pass
- Playing Style: Creative Playmaker
Kaka is a very natural second striker option, especially if you like pace and ball carrying through the middle. He works best when you let him pick up the ball slightly deeper and drive forward rather than forcing him into constant off-ball runs.
Attributes are amazing when you look at it: he’s fast, strong on the ball, and very comfortable carrying it into the final third, and scoring too. As an SS, he creates space for the CF while still being a goal threat himself, which makes him extremely effective in a front-three triangle.
4. Johan Cruyff
- Card Version: Epic New Year
- Playing Style: Deep-Lying Forward
Cruyff as a second striker is the purest false nine profile you can ask for in eFootball right now. This card dominates that role because everything about him is built around receiving the ball, turning, and creating something immediately.
Momentum Dribbling takes his ball control to another level and suits the DLF playstyle perfectly. He can carry the ball, pick out passes, and still arrive in scoring positions when needed. While DLFs always depend on how well the player uses them, this Cruyff clearly has one of the highest ceilings in the game.
5. Michel Platini
- Card Version: Epic National Midfielders
- Playing Style: Hole Player
Platini is one of those SS cards that plays smarter than most. Even as a Hole Player, he doesn’t blindly push forward. I’ve noticed he waits for space to open and then attacks it at the right moment. That timing is what makes him so effective behind a CF.
He’s equally comfortable carrying the ball, shooting from range, or setting someone up, which gives him a lot of freedom in this role. Strengths of a pure creator also stem from his Visionary Pass skill, which absolutely works in his favor.
6. Francesco Totti
- Card Version: Epic National Midfielders
- Playing Style: Creative Playmaker
Totti fits the second striker role in a very controlled way. He’s not someone you use for nonstop movement, but more for operating between the lines and linking play to your forwards. If you like slowing the game down and picking the right moment, he suits that style well.
He’s comfortable receiving the ball with his back to goal, turning, and either finishing or slipping a pass through. With Super Sub in play, he’s also a strong late-game SS option who can immediately change how your attack functions.
7. Pelé
- Card Version: Epic World Classics
- Playing Style: Deep-Lying Forward
A top-tier CF, and also a world-class SS. That’s Pele, who falls in both these sections. Pelé is one of the most enjoyable cards to use in the game. The biggest boost here is the double Show Time treatment, which allows him to function both as a creator and a finisher without feeling forced into either role.
On the ball, he feels incredibly light, and his movements are very fun. His close control is his best attribute, and the way he turns and accelerates in tight spaces makes him perfect for operating just behind the CF. If this style doesn’t work at CF, SS, it is where it’ll surely shine for you.
8. Zico
- Card Version: Epic National Attackers
- Playing Style: Creative Playmaker
Zico feels very comfortable in the SS role, especially around the edge of the box, because that’s where you go, take a double touch, and Blitz Curl your way to the goal. The best two-foot player for me when it comes to taking Blitz Curlers, and coming off his Classic No. 10, surely will have people turning heads.
The biggest strength with this player is how he is on the ball. Absolutely smooth, really tough to take the ball off him, and with Momentum Dribbling too, he gets good pace treatment that makes it even more lethal. I still prefer the Classic No. 10, though.
9. Raúl
- Card Version: Epic Worldwide
- Playing Style: Dummy Runner
This was a playstyle I barely used, but Raul changed it. Dummy Runner is a playstyle that doesn’t get enough appreciation, and Raul shows exactly why it works so well. He’s constantly dragging defenders out of position and creating space without needing the ball all the time.
He feels smooth on the ball and very comfortable operating between two strikers or just behind a main CF. Blitz Curler might look random on paper, but in-game, it actually works well because of how well he positions himself around the box.
10. Roberto Baggio
- Card Version: Italian League Attackers
- Playing Style: Creative Playmaker
A smooth option on the ball automatically makes you think about playing him up top, and Baggio is one such card. Dribbler’s delight is what I would call him, and he is an amazing creator with equally strong skills in the finishing department, too.
Playing him just behind a strong CF allows him to dribble, make space, and then decide the final action. He gives you a lot of room to operate, and since he is a technically sound player, you have fun using him.
Read other related eFootball 2026 articles:
- eFootball 2026: Epic, Big Time, and Show Time Player Tier List
- eFootball 2026: A guide to understanding Player Skill Training Program
- eFootball 2026: What is a Golden Ticket and how to get them
- eFootball 2026: A guide to Live Update Rating, Player Form and Conditioning
- eFootball 2026: A complete guide to Manager Link-Up Play
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