Hey everyone, it's your favorite FC 25 grinder back with another breakdown! The Road to the Knockouts promo is absolutely fire this year, and I'm here to talk about the latest objective player you NEED in your club: Santiago Gimenez. As we all know, RTTK cards are some of the best long-term investments in EA Sports FC 25 because they get upgrades based on real-life European performances. Whether it's the Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League, these cards evolve until January, meaning you won't have to worry about replacing them anytime soon.
Following Nicolas Otamendi's release, we now have this Mexican striker from Feyenoord who gets a massive +6 boost to his overall rating! But wait, there's more—his card can get even better. If Feyenoord wins three games, he gets a +1 upgrade. If they score in four different matches, he gets a PlayStyle Plus, a Role Plus, or another +1. And if they finish top two in their group? Boom, another Role Plus! Sounds insane, right? Let's dive into how to get him without losing our minds.
What Are The Santiago Gimenez Objectives All About?
This objective challenge is a cool mix that celebrates both Gimenez's Mexican roots and his time at Feyenoord. So, naturally, you've got to build your squad around these two themes. The good news? You technically only need four players if you don't have anyone who fits both categories. But here's the catch: you can't just sub these players off once the match starts if you want the objectives to count. You need them to actually contribute, especially in scoring goals.
Here's a quick look at what you need to do:
| Challenge Name | What You Gotta Do |
|---|---|
| On A Plate | Assist 3 goals with Through Balls. |
| Match Winner | Score 10 goals using a player from Mexico. |
| Dutch Double | Score at least 2 goals in 4 separate matches with at least 2 Eredivisie players in your starting 11. |
| Viva Mexico | Win 8 matches with at least 2 Mexican players in your starting 11. |
The trickiest part is setting up your team. You'll need to head to your Club tab, edit your Squad, and make sure you have at least two Mexican and two Eredivisie players in there from the get-go. My pro tip? Try to make your Mexican players forwards because they need to bang in those goals for the 'Match Winner' objective. For the Eredivisie lads, any position works since they mostly just need to be on the pitch when you score or win.
How To Smash Through The Gimenez Challenge SUPER Fast
Let's be real, some objectives are chill, but this one demands goals from your Mexican players. So you can't just throw any random card out there. You need guys who can actually finish. 🎯
Here's my strategy: For the Eredivisie requirement, you can use any players you want and then sub them off immediately after kick-off if you like. They only need to be in your starting 11 for the wins or the multi-goal games to count. This frees up your subs for your actual best players! But for your Mexicans, you gotta keep them on and feed them the ball.
Struggling to find good players from these leagues/nations? Don't worry, I got you. Check out this list of top picks:
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Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord) - The man himself! Obviously a perfect choice.
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Hirving Lozano (PSV) - Another fantastic option who fits BOTH requirements.
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Raul Jimenez (Fulham) - A reliable Premier League striker.
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Maria Sanchez (San Diego Wave) - A solid women's player option.
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Hugo Sanchez (Icon) - The GOAT Mexican striker if you have the coins.
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Dirk Kuyt (Hero) - A Dutch Hero who can play for Feyenoord/ED squads.
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Steven Berghuis (Ajax)
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Luuk De Jong (PSV)
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Sem Steijn (FC Twente)
See the ones in bold at the top? Those are your MVPs. Santiago Gimenez and Hirving Lozano each count for BOTH the Mexican AND Eredivisie requirements. This means you can fulfill the 'have 2 players from each' condition with just these two cards in your starting lineup! And since they're both forwards, they'll help you smash the 'Match Winner' objective too. Efficiency level: 100. 💪
My recommended game mode? Squad Battles on a low difficulty or friendly matches against a friend who's also grinding. It's way less stressful than Rivals, and you can focus on completing the specific tasks.
So, What's The Reward For All This Grind?
After all that hard work, you'll be rewarded with an 85-rated Santiago Gimenez Road to the Knockouts card! Is he the meta-defining, game-breaking striker? Probably not for most top-tier squads. But hear me out—he's going to be an absolute monster for any Mexico-themed or Eredivisie/Feyenoord-themed squad. And with those potential upgrades looming, he could become a serious option.
Plus, you don't just get the player! You get some tasty packs along the way as you complete each objective. Here's the full reward breakdown:
| Challenge Name | Reward for Completing It |
|---|---|
| On A Plate | 500 SP & One 75+ Rated Player Pack |
| Match Winner | ??? (Likely similar rewards!) |
| Dutch Double | 500 SP & Two 75+ Rated Player Packs |
| Viva Mexico | ??? (Likely the big final reward pack!) |
So, is it worth it? Absolutely! You're getting a free, upgradeable special card and a bunch of packs. It's a no-brainer for any collector or fan of unique squads. The grind might seem specific, but with the right players and a bit of strategy in Squad Battles, you can knock it out in a few hours. Get those Mexican forwards ready, mix in some Dutch league talent, and go claim your new striker! Who's already started the grind? Let me know in the comments below! 👇