How to complete John Barnes Icon SBC in FIFA 21: cost, solutions

Isaac McIntyre
John Barnes 89-rated ICON SBC FIFA 21 Ultimate Team requirements cost.

EA SPORTS has dropped a trio of new ICON SBCs, including retired Liverpool superstar John Barnes, and we have all the info you’ll need to unlock the English winger’s 89-rated card cheaply. Here’s everything you need to know.

Before there was Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, there was John Barnes.

The English winger carved out his name in Watford before making the £900k transfer to Merseyside in 1987. There he made 407 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 108 goals and lifting the English first division trophy twice.

The star also won two FA Cups, and played nearly 100 games for England.

His legacy has translated into a fantastic looking 89-rated left-wing card, which is now available as an Icon SBC in FIFA 21. Here’s all the details on how to unlock the pacey English superstar, and add him to the ranks of your Ultimate Team.

John Barnes was given his first Icon cards in FIFA 20.
John Barnes was given his first Icon cards in FIFA 20.

Barnes Icon SBC in-game stats

There’s only one way to describe Barnes’ 89-rated winger card: “Wow.” He’s an ICON, so of course, his stats are going to be pretty juicy, but the now 57-year-old’s historic player card is one of the best left-sided forwards available in FIFA 21 right now.

In fact, he even holds a candle to FIFA’s meta star, Neymar Jr.

The Brazilian beats Barnesy out on pace (by just one) and dribbling, but the Englishman has the PSG winger edged on shooting, defensive, and boasts 26 more physical to boot.

Barnes also has one thing Neymar doesn’t: Finesse Shot. This in-game flair can be the difference between a beautiful soaring goal, or a shot that pings the crossbar and Barnes certainly has it. That alone gives him the edge in Ultimate Team.

In-game stats for Barnes’ Prime Icon card in FIFA 21.
In-game stats for Barnes’ Prime Icon card in FIFA 21.

Barnes Icon SBC requirements & cost

The Englishman’s puzzle set has six SBCs to solve. These include challenges based around Barnes’ rising stardom in England in the early 1980s, as well as his legendary stint at Anfield, and his 79 appearances for England from ’83 to ’95.

To buy Barnes, you’re going to have to fork out a fair few coins. Xbox and PlayStation players are facing a 460k outlay, while Origin PC players will have to pay around 700k.

Here’s all the requirements for the Barnes ICON SBCs.

Born a Legend

  • Rare players: 11
  • Player level: Exactly Bronze
  • Team chemistry: Min. 50
  • Players in the squad: 11

Rising Star

  • Rare players: 11
  • Player level: Exactly Silver
  • Team chemistry: Min. 50
  • Players in the Squad: 11

Top-Notch

  • In-Form players: Min. 1
  • Squad rating: 82
  • Team chemistry: Min. 80
  • Players in the squad: 11

Digger

  • Players from Liverpool: Min 1
  • In-Form players: Min. 1
  • Squad rating: 84
  • Team chemistry: Min. 75
  • Players in the squad: 11

National Idol

  • Players from England: Min 1
  • In-Form players: Min. 1
  • Squad rating: 85
  • Team chemistry: Min. 70
  • Players in the squad: 11

League Finesse

  • Players from Premier League: Min 1
  • In-Form players: Min. 1
  • Squad rating: 86
  • Team chemistry: Min. 65
  • Players in the squad: 11

Barnes Icon SBC cheapest solutions

Born a Legend

John Barnes "Born a Legend" SBC solution.
John Barnes “Born a Legend” SBC solution.

Rising Star

John Barnes "Rising Star" SBC solution.
John Barnes “Rising Star” SBC solution.

Top-Notch

John Barnes "Top Notch" SBC solution.
John Barnes “Top Notch” SBC solution.

Digger

John Barnes "Digger" SBC solution.
John Barnes “Digger” SBC solution.

National Idol

John Barnes "National Idol" SBC solution.
John Barnes “National Idol” SBC solution.

League Finesse

John Barnes "League Finesse" SBC solution.
John Barnes “League Finesse” SBC solution.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter @UltimateTeamUK for all the latest news updates, solutions, and more for ICON and other SBCs as EA puts them out. If you do unlock Barnes, send us a clip and let us know how he worked out!

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About The Author

Isaac was formerly the Australian Managing Editor at Dexerto. Isaac began his writing career as a sports journalist at Fairfax Media, before falling in love with all things esports and gaming. Since then he's covered Oceanic and global League of Legends for Upcomer, Hotspawn, and Snowball Esports.