Lionel Messi vs Omar Sívori
Argentina against Argentina. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
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.
Omar Sívori
Argentina · 1956–62 · SS
- Almanac rating
- 92
- Rank in Argentina
- #6 of 33
- Caps
- 19 · 9 goals
- Clubs
- Club Atlético River Plate, Juventus, SSC Napoli
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 1961
Argentina's 1957 South American Championship was won by a forward line the press called the carasucias, and he was the one playing with his socks rolled down to his ankles, treating the nutmeg as a signature. Juventus paid a world-record fee of 10 million pesos for him that year, and he returned the 1961 Ballon d'Or, three Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia, on top of the three Argentine championships he had already won with River Plate. Career record: 19 caps and 9 goals for Argentina; club career at Club Atlético River Plate, Juventus, SSC Napoli; honours include Ballon d'Or 1961.
The verdict
The almanac puts Lionel Messi ahead by 7 rating points, 99 against 92.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.