Diego Maradona vs Marco van Basten
Argentina against Netherlands. 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.
Marco van Basten
Netherlands · 1981–93 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 95
- Rank in Netherlands
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 58 · 24 goals
- Clubs
- AFC Ajax, AC Milan
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 1988 · FIFA World Player of the Year 1992
Widely considered one of the greatest strikers of all time, the three-time Ballon d'Or winner and Euro '88 champion was a phenomenon for AC Milan before his career was cut short by injury. Career record: 58 caps and 24 goals for Netherlands; club career at AFC Ajax, AC Milan; honours include Ballon d'Or 1988, FIFA World Player of the Year 1992.
The verdict
The almanac puts Diego Maradona ahead by 4 rating points, 99 against 95.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.