Lionel Messi vs Alexis Sánchez
Argentina against Chile. 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.
Alexis Sánchez
Chile · 2015–16 · RM
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Chile
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 168 · 51 goals
- Clubs
- Udinese Calcio, FC Barcelona, Arsenal
With the 2015 Copa América final still goalless after Higuaín and Banega had missed in the shootout, he walked up in Santiago and chipped his penalty straight down the middle to give Chile their first major trophy. A second Copa América came in 2016 with the tournament's Golden Ball, and he leads Chile on 51 goals in a record 168 caps, having won La Liga with Barcelona, two FA Cups with Arsenal and two Serie A titles with Inter. Career record: 168 caps and 51 goals for Chile; club career at Udinese Calcio, FC Barcelona, Arsenal.
The verdict
The almanac puts Lionel Messi ahead by 9 rating points, 99 against 90.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.