Diego Maradona vs Pelé
Argentina against Brazil. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Diego Maradona
Argentina · 1986–90 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 99
- Rank in Argentina
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 91 · 34 goals
- Clubs
- FC Barcelona, SSC Napoli, Sevilla
- Honours
- FIFA Player of the Century 2000
At the Azteca on 22 June 1986 he collected the ball in his own half, beat five England players over sixty yards in about eleven seconds, and rolled it past Peter Shilton. He won the 1986 World Cup and its Golden Ball, took Napoli to their first two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990, added the 1989 UEFA Cup, and reached the 1990 World Cup final. Career record: 91 caps and 34 goals for Argentina; club career at FC Barcelona, SSC Napoli, Sevilla; honours include FIFA Player of the Century 2000.
Pelé
Brazil · 1957–71 · SS
- Almanac rating
- 99
- Rank in Brazil
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 92 · 77 goals
- Clubs
- Bauru Atlético Clube, Santos, New York Cosmos
- Honours
- FIFA Player of the Century 2000 · South American Footballer of the Year 1973 · 5× Hall of Fame (1967–1997)
On 19 November 1969 the Maracanã stopped while photographers swarmed the pitch and 80,000 Vasco supporters cheered Pelé, who had just converted the penalty that was his thousandth goal. He is the only man with three World Cups, scoring twice in the 1958 final at seventeen, and he took the Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup with Santos in both 1962 and 1963 along with five Taça Brasil titles. Career record: 92 caps and 77 goals for Brazil; club career at Bauru Atlético Clube, Santos, New York Cosmos; honours include South American Footballer of the Year 1973, FIFA Player of the Century 2000, 5× Hall of Fame (1967–1997).
The verdict
The almanac cannot separate them: both are rated 99.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.