Riyad Mahrez vs Jairzinho
Algeria against Brazil. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Riyad Mahrez
Algeria · 2016–23 · RM
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Algeria
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 120 · 40 goals
- Clubs
- Leicester City, Manchester City, Al Ahli
- Honours
- national Player of the Year 2016 · Hall of Fame 2019
Nigeria built a wall and laid a man on the grass behind it in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the 2019 semi-final, and Mahrez curled the free kick over both into the top corner. Algeria won that Africa Cup of Nations, and he collected five English league titles, one with Leicester in 2016 and four at Manchester City, the 2023 Champions League, and African Footballer of the Year in 2016. Career record: 120 caps and 40 goals for Algeria; club career at Leicester City, Manchester City, Al Ahli; honours include national Player of the Year 2016, Hall of Fame 2019.
Jairzinho
Brazil · 1968–76 · RM
- Almanac rating
- 92
- Rank in Brazil
- #15 of 33
- Clubs
- Olympique de Marseille, Kaizer Chiefs, C.D. Jorge Wilstermann
Six matches at Mexico 1970, six matches with his name on the scoresheet, including Brazil's third goal in the 4-1 final against Italy on 21 June: no one has done that at a World Cup before or since. He left the tournament with seven goals and a winner's medal, took the 1976 Copa Libertadores with Cruzeiro, and won the 1968 Brazilian championship and four Rio state titles with Botafogo. Career record: club career at Olympique de Marseille, Kaizer Chiefs, C.D. Jorge Wilstermann.
The verdict
The almanac puts Jairzinho ahead by 2 rating points, 92 against 90.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.