Javier Zanetti vs Johnny Carey
Argentina against Ireland. 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.
Johnny Carey
Ireland · 1937–1953 · RB
- Almanac rating
- 89
- Rank in Ireland
- #3 of 33
- Caps
- 29 · 3 goals
- Clubs
- Manchester United, Shamrock Rovers, Everton
Nine different positions bore his name on Manchester United teamsheets, goalkeeper included, yet it was as captain that he lifted the FA Cup after the celebrated 4-2 final against Blackpool in 1948. The First Division title of 1952 followed, along with the 1949 Footballer of the Year award and the honour of captaining the Rest of Europe XI at Hampden in 1947. Career record: 29 caps and 3 goals for Ireland; club career at Manchester United, Shamrock Rovers, Everton.
The verdict
The almanac puts Javier Zanetti ahead by 2 rating points, 91 against 89.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.