Controller freezes/sticks in last direction — online AND offline, not hardware

Hello,

I downloaded EA FC 26 on PC of Steam. I tried using my Xbox Wireless Controller, but the described problem occurs even after:

My Issue: Inputs delay several seconds; player keeps moving in last direction even after releasing the stick. Buttons (pass/shoot etc.) don't register during the freeze. Happens in Kick-Off, Career, and menus  not just online.

Already tried, no change:
- Restarted/disabled Windows GameInput Service
- Ruled out duplicate controller in Device Manager
- Disabled all overlays (Game Bar, Steam, GeForce Experience, Discord)
- Capped framerate + VSync
- Verified game files via Steam and deleted + reinstalled it
- Forced Steam Input off for FC 26
- Re-paired controller via Bluetooth and tried using the controller wired
- Tested second controller — same issue
- Clean signal in gamepad tester

The controller works fine in other games so it must be an EA FC error-

I would really appreciate it if someone could help me .