Lionel Messi vs Mohamed Salah
Argentina against Egypt. 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.
Mohamed Salah
Egypt · 2017–25 · RM
- Almanac rating
- 93
- Rank in Egypt
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 115 · 67 goals
- Clubs
- Al Mokawloon Al Arab SC, FC Basel, Liverpool
- Honours
- The Best FIFA award 2018 · 2× African Footballer of the Year (2017–2017) · Golden Boot 2018
His first season at Liverpool ended with 32 league goals in 38 games, still the most anyone has managed in a 38-match Premier League season. The Champions League followed a year later, opened by his penalty inside two minutes of the final against Tottenham; two Premier League titles in 2020 and 2025, four Golden Boots, the Club World Cup and African Footballer of the Year in both 2017 and 2018 sit beside it. Career record: 115 caps and 67 goals for Egypt; club career at Al Mokawloon Al Arab SC, FC Basel, Liverpool; honours include The Best FIFA award 2018, 2× African Footballer of the Year (2017–2017), Golden Boot 2018.
The verdict
The almanac puts Lionel Messi ahead by 6 rating points, 99 against 93.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.