Javier Zanetti vs Lionel Messi
Argentina against Argentina. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Javier Zanetti
Argentina · 1994–2011 · RB
- Almanac rating
- 91
- Rank in Argentina
- #8 of 33
- Caps
- 145 · 5 goals
- Clubs
- Club Atlético Talleres de Remedios de Escalada, Club Atlético Banfield, Inter Milan
Inter gave him the armband in 2001 and he kept it until he retired at forty, by then on 858 appearances for the club and two red cards in a twenty-two-year career. He captained the Inter side that won the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia in 2010, and finished with five Serie A titles, the 1998 UEFA Cup and 145 caps for Argentina. Career record: 145 caps and 5 goals for Argentina; club career at Club Atlético Talleres de Remedios de Escalada, Club Atlético Banfield, Inter Milan.
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.