22/23 Donruss Soccer Hobby Preview, Checklist Breakdown and Team Scouting

22/23 Donruss Soccer Hobby Preview, Checklist Breakdown and Team Scouting

2022-23 Donruss Soccer is finally upon us!

Releasing on Friday 14th April, after a number of delays, the annual Donruss Soccer is finally here. Once again home to the timeless Kaboom! & Rated Rookie cards I am going to attempt to preview the product and breakdown the checklist that was just released. 

 

 

Hobby Box Breakdown

Currently we only have information on the hobby box which has the following breakdown;

  • 30 Cards per pack
  • 12 Packs per box
  • 12 Boxes per case

Expected averages per box are

  • 1 Autograph
  • 1 Memorabilia Card
  • 60 Parallels
  • 48 Inserts or Parallels

It is only conjecture at this point but it appears each pack will include at least 1 optic parallel and 8 other parallels, inserts or insert parallels. This is +3 on 21/22 Donruss Road To Qatar - pointing to the similar theme of shorter print runs in Panini's 22/23 product. 

 

Parallel Overview 

Panini released a checklist on Tuesday 11th April that contradicted the sell-sheet originally released with the product. Given the checklist is much more recent we are going to run with that - the checklist does include parallels from all product lines so I'm going to try my best at predicting the hobby parallels as follows;

Base Optic

  • Holo (unnumbered)
  • Photon (SSP - possibly case hit a la snakeskin in EPL Prizm) 
  • Red #/165
  • Blue #/99
  • Teal Mojo #/49
  • Purple Mojo #/25
  • Gold #/10
  • Black #/1

Base

  • Silver
  • Silver Rated Rookie #/349
  • Teal #/199
  • Red #/99
  • Blue #/49
  • Gold #/10
  • Black #/1

The other listed parallels on the checklist include;

  • Optic Green, Orange, Purple (#/99), Pink (#/99) Ice varieties - I believe these will be found in retail products - blasters, mega boxes and retail packs. 
  • Optic Dragon #/8 - this should be a Donruss Choice exclusive, also confirming that we will be receiving a choice product-line
  • Base Parallels - Green, Orange, Purple #/99, Pink #/25 - again I think these will be retail parallels.

My predictions are based on products in other sporting codes, previous releases and how Panini have printed recent releases such as World Cup & EPL Prizm. 

 

Donruss Inserts

A huge part of Donruss has always been the inserts and this release is no different. A massive 10 different insert sets each with a 25 player checklist feature including;

  • The return of Net Marvels, Craftsmen, Elite Series, Pitch Kings, Zero Gravity & Donruss Tribute Set (this time throwing back to 1992). 
  • Rookie Kings & The Rookies inserts featuring you guessed it - exlusively Rookies!
  • The Kaboom! case hit chase is joined by Night Moves - a stunning set featured in NBA Donruss this year. Both are confirmed case hits by Panini. 

All inserts except the case-hit Kaboom! and Night Moves are listed as having 4 hobby parallels - Silver, Purple #/25, Pink #/5 and Black #/1. This combined with the increased number of inserts/parallels per box leads me to believe it should be a lock for hobby. 

Note that in 21/22 Donruss Road to Qatar, the Pitch Kings, The Rookies and Rookie Kings inserts were retail exclusive.This time around they do appear to be available in hobby. 

As we've seen in recent sets - design is up a level this year and the insert design seems to be a step up on last years. Here are a few of the sell sheet photos as well as a Night Moves from NBA Donruss.
 

Checklist Overview

The checklist breakdown does not stray too much from Donruss convention. A 175 player base checklist is accompanied by a 25 player Rated Rookie set. There are a mammoth 250 inserts to collect and an on-par 100 auto / 100 patch list featuring plenty of new signees. 

32 Nations and Clubs feature in an eclectic teams list. Not all teams are created equal with size varying from just 9 cards for Roma & Wales to a massive 48 cards for France. 

We've been surprised by the two major releases this year with Revo & Prizm both missing inserts in the hobby releases that were listed on the checklist. Knowing what we know now - I'm confident hobby will include all inserts for 22/23 Donruss. 

Kaboom's are one of the hobbys most popular short-prints commanding top dollar and generally maintaing a good value for years to come. Panini have continued the case hit trend from Prizm and leaned towards the bigger names for the Kabooms with many teams featuring 2 or 3 whilst some feature none. France have no Kaboom on the checklist which is surprising given the depth of talent. 

Night Moves are a new entry but with a strong checklist and well-received design I'd expect these to be almost as sought-after as the Kabooms. The checklist shares a few names with the Kaboom! but mostly features different players which is good to see. 

 

Team & Nation Breakdown

With 32 teams and nations featured in a checklist almost the same size as 21/22 Donruss (which had 20 teams), there is a lot less "filler" on the checklist overall with most nations only having ~5 base players in the set. Below I will go through team by team offering a summary and my humble insight into the players featured.

 

 

AC Milan Overview

AC Milan offer plenty to chase with a string of cards featuring young stars and legends alike. A total of 24 cards including 7 mostly top tier autos, 2 rookies and a massive Kaka Kaboom! I expect AC Milan to be popular with collectors and hit chasers alike. 

One of the more impressive auto lists features new signers Cafu & Jaap alongside fellow AC legends Maldini and Kaka. Charles De Ketelaere has a solo auto and also features on perhaps the most lop-sided dual auto in the set alongside Kaka.

They also have two rookies in Marko Lazetic & Yacine Adli - Lazetic being a 19yo Serbian striker currently on-loan in Austria and Adli a 22yo midfielder who hasn't yet lived up to expectations - he debuted for PSG at just 17 years of age and spent 4 years playing in Ligue 1 for Bordeaux before signing with AC Milan. 

 

Ajax Overview

Ajax are very much the same Ajax we've seen for a while now in checklists and sadly lack any real firepower. They do have 6 inserts, 6 base and an auto so may represent some value in breaks for those who just like to have a horse in the race.

The omission of young superstar Mohammed Kudus is an odd one after his World Cup performances with Panini favouring hobby main-stays Kenny Taylor, Steven Bergwijn and Dusa Tadic. Brian Brobbey who collectors will know from Topps product is still only 21 years old and scoring regularly for the first XI. 

They do have two rookies present but both are underwhelming with Calvin Bassey being a central defender and Lorenzo Lucca barely having any time in the top flight after joining Ajax on loan from the Italian 2nd tier. 

 

Argentina Overview

As to be expected, the reigning World Cup Champions feature heavily in Donruss and I don't think they got a lot wrong. 30 cards in total including 9 base, 6 autos, 4 patches and 11 inserts (including 2 Kabooms! & 1 Night Moves) will put them right up the pointy end of Pick Your Team pricing. 

Panini have paid homage to Lionel Messi by giving him no less than 8 cards in the set. These include a base, auto, 2 patches, 2 inserts and each of the Kaboom! & Night Moves case hits. He will again be the player to chase in the set and having so many cards will hopefully offer a more regular return for those willing to splash out the big bucks on the spot in a break. 

Rookie-wise Argentina are no lightweights. Julian Alvarez will again be a huge rookie chase but is joined by Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez & MLS starlet Thiago Almada who will both have the coveted RC logo on their cards. 

Despite the huge chases already mentioned - Argentina offer impressive depth with Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martinez, Di Maria, Dybala and Co offering a range of base, inserts and autos to follow. The cherry on top of the checklist is an incredible Tevez & Maradona dual auto which as expected is exceptionappy short-printed. The blue is numbered /5 and the gold /2. 

 

AS Roma Overview

Sadly for Roma fans - they have one of the scarcest checklists in the product with a total of just 9 cards - 5 base, 3 inserts and 1 auto being Marash Kumbulla. 

Nicola Zalewski is probably the stand-out for Roma with his Rated Rookie card. Only recently turning 21, the young Polishman has impressively made the starting left-back role his this season.

 

Atletico Madrid Overview

Atletico Madrid have a fairly expected checklist in Donruss with 14 cards total - 5 base, 6 inserts and 3 autos. 

The diamond in the rough may be Pablo Barrios, a 19 year old Spanish midfielder who has only featured in every Atletico match bar 3 since making his first-team debut in October 2022. That is no easy feat playing at a club like Atletico Madrid. He will wear the RC badge on his base card. 

No other surprises from Atletico with a raft of familiar faces and the 3 autos being Tiago, Correa and Carrasco. 

 

Chelsea Overview

Chelsea's checklist should be largely familiar to anyone who's followed products in the last few years - none of the recent influx of signings make the cut so it is the usual suspects across the 19 card checklist - 5 base, 2 autos, 10 inserts and 2 patches! 

Interestingly Panini have awarded Havertz another Kaboom! (after his Germany one in Donruss RTQ) - it would have been nice to see someone get their first like Gallagher or even a Chelsea legend Kaboom. Mason Mount features on the Night Moves case hit which should be a spectacular chase especially once he signs at Liverpool in the next transfer window. 

After having 20+ autos in Prizm its a surprise to see only 2 autos for Chelsea in Donruss with an Aubameyang Beautiful Game and first time signer Armando Broja having a Signature Series. 

 

Colombia Overview

Everyone's favourite Panini filler Nation returns with less Felipe Pardo! Colombia have a 13 card checklist with 5 base, 4 autos and 4 inserts. A mix of both new and old names does give them a little bit of interest overall. 

Whilst they do have 4 autos, 3 of those feature Rafael Santos Borre including a dual with Jeison Murillo and that is not going to put bums in seats.

What might garner some interest is Leeds United winger Luis Sinisterra who has been more than respectable in his first Premier League season after scoring plenty of goals for Feyenoord in the Eredivise. He carries two cards in the set - a Rated Rookie and The Rookies insert.

 

Czechia / Czech Republic Overview

A surprising addition to the checklist and not one that Panini have taken lightly - Czechia have 18 cards in their checklist including BOTH a Kaboom & Night Moves, 5 base, 2 Autos and 9 inserts including 5 rookies! 

Adam Hlozek certainly has some fans at Panini with the young Bayer Leverkusen forward having a Rated Rookie, Rookie Kings, The Rookies AND Night Moves cards - he was the youngest player to debut for Sparta Prague at just 16 years old and comes highly touted by some of the hobbies most astute collectors. 

Beyond the Hlozek chase, Czechia offers a Patrik Schick Kaboom!, Antonin Barak Autos and two more rookies in Michal Sadilek and David Zima to provide a fantastic all-round chase. 

 

England Overview

Onto the first of the real big boys of the product - England have 29 cards in the checklist including 7 autos, 2 Kabooms, 3 Night Moves, 5 Base, 8 Patch Cards and 4 inserts covering most bases. 

On first impressions it seems England have a huge checklist but with over 1/4 of their cards being patches it isn't quite so deep. The base set is fantastic with Saka, Rice, Kane, Bellingham & Foden - all except Rice also find themselves onto an insert of some description as well. 

The autos for England are a mix of new and old - Panini favourites Beckham and Kane are joined by new signers Michael Carrick and Kieran Trippier as well as Lineker and Ramsdale for a total of 7 autos. 

The clear highlight for England is the case hit chase. With Night Moves & Kaboom's appearing once each per case (on average) - England are going to be a popular choice. Jude Bellingham gets a Kaboom along with the random selection of Jordan Pickford whilst the Night Moves trio of Saka, Foden and Beckham should have people racing to the spots. 

 

FC Barcelona Overview 

Barcelona's football team are going through a transition period and so is their hobby checklists with a dash of young stars and established superstars. With 26 cards in total - 5 base, 3 Kabooms, 3 Night Moves, 6 Patches, 1 Auto and 8 inserts they still offer plenty to like. 

Panini have decided to put Neymar back into the Barcelona kit and he features on 4 cards - an autograph, two patches and a sure to be sought after Night Moves case hit. I like this move as its the club that made him a superstar and adds some depth to the Barca checklist. 

With Barca's only rookie being the young but relatively unknown Pablo Torre, the weight is carried by their more experienced superstars - Gavi, Pedri and Lewandowski feature heavily across base and inserts whilst they have 3 Kabooms - Fati, Gavi & Lewa and 3 Night Moves - Pedri, Raphinha and Neymar - all of which will be highly sought after .

 

Inter Milan Overview

Inter Milan are often hard done by in checklists (particularly Topps) but on this occasion do cover most bases - 21 cards in total - 5 Base, 1 Kaboom, 3 Autos, 2 Patches and 10 inserts. Whilst lacking any superstar standouts or big rookies they should provide an affordable chase across most of the card types in the set. 

Arturo Vidal carries two autos in the set which will be great for Inter Milan fans, Giuseppe Bergomi carries through from NT and the indifferent Lukaku is their Kaboom!

 

FC Porto Overview

FC Porto are the first of 3 Portugese clubs to make the checklist and with 12 cards in the checklist - 4 of them rookie exclusives its going to be all about that rookie chase. 

Gabriel Veron & Goncalo Borges have both been highly rated wingers who've struggled to nail down a starting XI birth but should be cut some slack given they are 20 and 21 years old respectively with neither making more double digit senior appearances. Wenderson Galeno has been in great form this season and has a The Rookies card but at 25 years old may not be one to hold. 

 

France Overview

France hold the honour of the biggest checklist in Donruss with a whopping 48 cards - 9 base, 7 Autos, 2 Night Moves, 8 Patches and 22 inserts! Panini have gone wild with France but somehow failed to give them a Kaboom chase. 

Jumping off the page is of course Kylian Mbappe. We see Mbappe autos for the first time outside a World Cup set and combined with a Night Moves case hit - expect to see Mbappe priced right at the point end of breaks. 

France carry 3 rookies - Willy Saliba we all know has quickly established himself in Arsenals back 4 but Randal Kolo Muani is going to be the main chase here. The young Frankfurt striker made the France WC squad after Nkunku withdrew and won the penalty to tie the final - playing very well in Germany and could have a bright future. 

Overall France dominate most areas of the checklist and I would expect to be seeing more than a few France hits in any given case of Donruss. Beyond Mbappe the autos are a bit weak - Sagna, Pavard, Kimpembe and Theo Hernandez making it a quartet of defenders but the likes of Nkunku, Benzema, Camavinga and Tchouameni scattered across base and inserts will make them a rewarding follow. 

 

Germany Overview

Germany carry a gigantic 47 cards in the Donruss checklist - including 9 base, 4 Autos, 3 Kabooms, 3 Night Moves, 8 patches and a massive 20 inserts! 

Panini for no clear and obvious reason seem to have stacked as many Germans as they can into the list - 31 different players in total - a large amount carrying little hobby weight. Hobby-darling Moukoko has a Kaboom that will be a fantastic chase but couldn't find his way into a base or insert which is frustrating given the size. Lukas Nmecha gets 2 autos along along with Kohler and Schuster - two for the German fans. 

Along with Moukoko - Musiala and Muller have a Kaboom! which is a fantastic trio. The German Night Moves are Harvertz, Gotze and Gnabry. Beyond this, there are not too many standouts - Niclas Fullkurg is the leading goalscorer in the Bundesliga at the time of writing but at 30 years old the ship has probably sailed from a hobby point of view.  

 

Italy Overview

Italy are back! On first glance they have 23 cards in the set but Panini must have gotten a fantastic deal on Italy kits as they have no less than 12 patch cards - these accompany 6 autos, 4 Rookie Inserts and just 1 base making Italy the most random of all the checklists. 

6 Autos are nice for Italian fans even if 4 of those are Matteo Pessina & Marco Verratti. Bergomi and Nesta autos add some legends weight to list. 

The standout for Italy should be Wilfried Gnonto who has 2 rookie cards. Gnonto is a 19 year old striker who signed for Leeds late 2022. He has shown flashes of brilliance and is also the youngest goalscorer ever for Italy - He has an incredible 10 international caps at such a young age. 

 

Juventus Overview

Juventus are another club in transition in the football world but luckily have a checklist of 19 cards - 5 base, 3 autos, 1 Kaboom, 2 Patches and 8 inserts. A lot of household names features such as Di Maria & Vlahovic but its the rookies that stand out here. 

Dusan Vlahovic earns himself a Kaboom! which is sure to be a chase in the set. Juve's autos are less exciting with Antonio Cabrini having two and Danilo one. Weston McKennie still wears the black and white despite moving to Leeds which is a bit odd. 

The standout for Juventus and probably my tip for the best "under the radar" checklist is their rookies. 5 cards featuring 3 Rookies. Matias Soule already trains with the World Cup winning Argentina national team and has the potential to be a stand out while Fabio Miretti debuted for Italy before his 19th birthday and has been likened to Juventus great Claudio Marchisio. Nicolo Fagioli is a central midfielder currently keeping World Cup Champion Leandro Paredes out of a starting spot - no easy feat!

Korea Republic Overview

Heung-Min Son & Friends make another Donruss checklist - this time a much shorter 13 cards in total - 5 Base, 2 Patches, 1 Night Moves and 5 inserts. HMS dominates with 4 cards.

Still no Son autos means Korean fans will have to be content with the case hit Night Moves insert as well are two patches a base and a Craftsmen insert for their leading man. Two rookies compliment the checklist - both currently playing in the K-League.

 

Liverpool Overview

Liverpool are definitely back in the Panini good books with a 27 card checklist including 5 base, 9 autos, 2 Night Moves and 11 inserts! They didn't get a Kaboom but Liverpool fans have plenty to like about the set overall. 

After 0 autos in any Panini 21/22 product, they're coming through fast now. Prizm signers Firmino, Nunez, Jota & Phillips are joined by new signers McManaman, Mascherano, Collymore & Souness in what is one of the deepest auto checklists in the product.

Whilst having 3 rookie inserts they all belong to the currently out of favour Fabio Carvalho - the kid has some serious talent registering 19 goal involvements as an 18 year old during Fulhams 21/22 promotion year so he offers a huge amount of upside. 

The rest of Liverpool is well curated - Alisson, Nunez, Salah, TAA & VVD make up the base list whilst Henderson, Firmino, Thiago, Luis Diaz and Andy Robertson feature in the inserts. Nunez & Salah have the big chase of a Night Moves case hit. 

 

 

Manchester City Overview

Reasonably short and massively stacked is an adequate description for Man City - 21 cards in total - 5 Base, 6 autos, 1 Kaboom, 2 Night Moves, 2 Patches and 5 inserts. Haaland, De Bruyne, Foden and Alvarez make City one of the most appealing teams in the set. 

The terminator of records Erling Haaland features a Base, Night Moves and Signature Series auto in the set - 3 cards which promise to be up there with the very best chases. The blue auto is /49 which tells me Haaland won't be stupidly rare hopefully offering some value in the high priced spot. 

Julian Alvarez needs no introduction - the World Cup winner is also forcing himself into a team featuring the best striker in the world which shows his credentials. He features on a Rated Rookie, Rookie Kings and The Rookies cards - an upgrade on the 1 card chase from EPL Prizm. 

Beyond the big two - Man City just keep giving, De Bruyne has a Night Moves case hit, Foden has a Kaboom. KDB autos make a return and there is an interesting dual auto of Palmer and Foden which will excite Man City fans. Young English full back Rico Lewis has plenty of fans stepping up to replace Joao Cancelo at the tender age of just 18. 

 

Manchester United Overview

Man United have a relatively short checklist in Donruss with 20 cards in total - 6 Base, 6 autos, 2 patches and 6 inserts. I think this is largely due to Panini removing CR7 from Man United - he was in most of the marketing material they released earlier this year. I also think this is why Man United did not get a Night Moves or Kaboom - both were likely earmarked for CR7. 

Man. United faithful will be relieved at this release - My opinion is that it is a great checklist for the fans. New signers Gordon Strachan & Dwight Yorke have solo autos and two stunning duals featuring Andy Cole/Dwight Yorke & Paul Scholes/Roy Keane will be massive chases. De Gea autos are back as is the ever-present David Beckham. 

Arguably the top rookie in any 22/23 products is Alejandro Garnacho. If you are reading this then you shouldn't need me to tell you who he is - he earns a Rated Rookie and The Rookies cards and will once again be hugely sought after. Tyrell Malacia follows him up with his own Rated Rookies and Rookie Kings card. 

 

 

Mexico Overview

Mexico's sighting on the teams list may have given anyone outside Mexico flashbacks to previously stacked checklists but happy to report Mexico have 16 cards in the set - 8 of which are patches, 5 base, 2 inserts and 1 auto which should be enough to satisfy Mexican fans without taking away from the rest of the checklist. 
Raul JImenez is the sole auto for Mexico who also feature two rookies - Kevin Alvarez & Alexis Vega but at 24 and 25 years old whilst playing in Liga MX - I doubt many will get too excited by them. 

Norway Overview

Norway are quietly assembling a small but deadly checklist - 12 cards in total - 5 base, 2 autos, 1 kaboom, 1 Night Moves and 3 inserts. Featuring the two favourites for the Premier League Player Of The Year in Odegaard and Haaland, the Scandinavian minnows may not be so for long. 
Haaland is of course the huge chase, he follows up his City checklist with a Beautiful Game auto, Base, Kaboom and Marvels card for Norway in what should be some of the most visually pleasing Haaland cards made. Odegaard also carries a Night Moves case hit ensuring anyone who takes the plunge on the full Norway spot will have more than just EBH to chase. John Arne Riise makes his debut as a signer with a Beautiful Game Auto - the former Liverpool man is the Norwegian games record holder and will have some chase. 

Olympique Marseille Overview

Short and sweet for Marseille as usual - 11 cards in total with 5 base, 5 inserts and 1 auto. Alexis Sanchez is certainly a cool auto. 
Marseille do feature two rookies - Pape Gueye has become a bit of a journeyman even though he is 24yo having played in Ligue 1, EPL and La Liga. The other rookie is Issa Kabore - a young full back currently on loan at Marseille from Man City. Man City have kept him on the books despite 3 loan moves so might be worth a shout if right backs are your thing. 

Portugal Overview

With Panini removing CR7 from all Man United sets, all eyes were on Portugal and I'm happy to report the Portugese GOAT has a huge presence across the 26 Portugal cards featured - 5 Base, 8 Patches, 6 Autos, 1 Kaboom, 1 Night Moves and 5 inserts. 
Cristiano Ronaldo features on 8 cards in total. Base, Kaboom!, 2 Patches, Net Marvels, Night Moves, Pitch Kings & Signature Series. This is good to see as whether you like him or not - He has been one of the best two players in the world for the majority of the last two decades. 
I was happy to see Panini reward Matheus Nunes with two cards in the set - Rated Rookie and The Rookies insert. Nunes has been a fantastic signing for Wolves this season and already attracting major interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world. 
The remainder of the Portugal checklist is solid with Paulo Sousa, Tiago, Dalot and Jota featuring autos and a very weird two Diogo's - Dalot and Jota having a dual auto together. 

Real Madrid Overview

Real Madrid are back! After multiple lacklustre checklists, Panini have included 32 Real Madrid cards in the set - 6 Base, 1 Dual Auto, 3 Kabooms, 2 Night Moves, 8 Inserts and a massive 12 patches. 
The one card on everyone's lips when the checklist dropped was the Zidane Kaboom. This promises to be one of the best cards in the set and with rumours abound that Zidane is in a signing mood, it could signal that we'll see his autos in future sets. The two other Madrid Kabooms feature Benzema and Camavinga complimented by another 2 Night Moves featuring Tchouameni & Vini Jr. A hugely stacked case hit chase for Madrid. 
The only auto for Real Madrid is a cool Rodrygo / Vini Jr dual but the Inserts are stacked with Vini Jr Marvels & Pitch Kings and a Benzema Pitch Kings which hopefully does the set justice. 

Serbia Overview

No surprised with Serbia here - 11 cards on the checklist including 5 base & 6 inserts. No autos or case hits to chase. Serbians will be glad to pick up their PC for what should be a very affordable price. 
Dusan Vlahovic will be the standout offering a base and Zero Gravity insert. Beyond that it's mostly going to be PC love. 

SL Benfica Overview

Benfica are currently churning out hobby darlings and seemingly replacing them with ease - they're rewarded with 13 cards in Donruss - 5 Base & 8 Inserts - all the inserts are Rookie-based. 
Enzo Fernandez' transfer to Chelsea broke records last window and Panini have resisted the urge to update his cards - therefore we have a Benfica Rated Rookie, Rookie Kings and The Rookies cards. On the back of a World Cup he won with Argentina and was awarded the Best Young Player of the Tournament he is currently performing as the best of Chelsea's new signings and looks at home in the EPL. 
Of the remaining Benfica Rookies - Morato, Silva & Bah are centre-backs who won't garner much attention, Araujo is a forward who was sent on loan to Watford after limited opportunities and has struggled in his time there so I can't see too much love coming from them. 

Spain Overview

Spain are probably around par for the checklist with 20 cards including 5 Base, 6 autos, 6 patches, 1 Kaboom, 1 Night Moves but only 1 insert but a good one in Gavi Net Marvels. 
Gavi & Pedri have been the Spanish lynchpins in previous years and nothing changes here - Spain's Kaboom is Pedri and Night Moves is Gavi - Both cards should be a huge chase. 
The Spanish autos are a tough one - Pau Torres and Unai Simon not only have 2 autos each but have been combined onto arguably the worst dual auto in the hobby... Thankfully Panini also including Xavi Hernandez autos which will be a solid chase. Unfortunately no rookies in the Spanish checklist. 

Sporting Club Portugal Overview

Sporting complete the trio of Portugese clubs on the checklist with their 10 cards - 5 base & 5 inserts. No autos or case hits for Portugal but an interesting rookie chase
Issahaku Fatawu was highly-touted and chased by Liverpool among others before signing at Sporting in 2022. He has only just turned 19 and working inside the renowned Sporting Academy could one a sleeper to watch. 

United States Men's National Team Overview

Have Panini finally acknowledged The World Game exists outside of North & South America and has done so for a long time? The USA Men have 21 cards on the checklist including 8 base, 3 Autos, 1 Kaboom and 9 inserts. Pulisic adds to his collection of case hits with a Kaboom! 
Overall the checklist mirrors that of the World Cup squad and there are no real surprises. Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah and Yunus Musah continue to sign autos and disappointingly the 3 rookies Panini have selected are aged 24, 25 and 26 years old. I'm certain there would have been a plethora of Young Americans that they could have taken a plunge with. 

United States Women's National Team Overview

It is fantastic to see Women's cards make a return to Donruss - disappointing that USA are the only nation to feature but the checklist of 21 cards offers some brilliant chases - 2 Kabooms, 1 Night Moves, 7 Base, 6 Patches, 3 inserts & 2 Autos showcasing current and former stars alike. 
The Alex Morgan Kaboom! created a lot of attention when shown during the Donruss announcement a few months back and it is joined by two further case hits of two current USWNT superstars -  Caratina Macario Kaboom & Trinity Rodman Night Moves. Both of these women we nominees for the Ballon d'Or Femenin and a huge tick for Panini. 
Overall the USWNT checklist covers most bases - a sensational dual features Rose Lavelle & Mallory Swanson while Andi Sullivan has a solo auto. Household names of Morgan, Rapinoe, Wambach and Lavelle are all there across Base and Inserts.

Wales Overview

It appears Wales are hanging on by the skin of their teeth in the checklist with a total of 9 cards - 5 base and 4 inserts. What they lack in volume they do make up for in quality with the standout rookie cards of Brennan Johnson. Johnson was Nottingham Forest's top scorer in their promotion winning season last year and despite being just 21 years old has hit the ground running in the Premier League with 8 goals this season. He will be one to watch in this set. 
If you've made it this far, I would like to thank you for taking the time. Please feel free to reach out with any feedback positive or negative as we only do this to assist the community and want to ensure we are getting it right! 
Keep your eyes peeled on Neon Trading Cards for box, case and multi-case breaks of all the latest products as they release. 
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