Gabriel Batistuta vs Lionel Messi
Argentina against Argentina. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Gabriel Batistuta
Argentina · 1991–2002 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 91
- Rank in Argentina
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 78 · 56 goals
- Clubs
- ACF Fiorentina, AS Roma, Al-Arabi SC
Relegation to Serie B in 1993 was the moment other strikers would have left Fiorentina, and he stayed, scored them back up in one season and finished as the club's leading Serie A scorer with 151 goals. No one else has scored World Cup hat-tricks at two tournaments, 1994 and 1998, and he won the Copa América in 1991 and 1993, the Serie A title with Roma in 2001, and held Argentina's scoring record until Messi. Career record: 78 caps and 56 goals for Argentina; club career at ACF Fiorentina, AS Roma, Al-Arabi SC.
Lionel Messi
Argentina · 2021–24 · RM
- Almanac rating
- 99
- Rank in Argentina
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 207 · 125 goals
- Clubs
- Newell's Old Boys, FC Barcelona, Inter Miami CF
- Honours
- 2× Ballon d'Or (2009–2010) · FIFA World Player of the Year 2009 · The Best FIFA award 2019
Lusail, 18 December 2022: he scored twice in a final that ended 3-3, then buried the first penalty of a shootout Argentina won 4-2. The trophy cabinet runs from the 2022 World Cup and a second Golden Ball through the Copa América of 2021 and 2024 to eight Ballon d'Or awards, four Champions Leagues, ten La Liga titles and 672 goals for Barcelona. Career record: 207 caps and 125 goals for Argentina; club career at Newell's Old Boys, FC Barcelona, Inter Miami CF; honours include 2× Ballon d'Or (2009–2010), FIFA World Player of the Year 2009, The Best FIFA award 2019.
The verdict
The almanac puts Lionel Messi ahead by 8 rating points, 99 against 91.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.