Lionel Messi vs Pedro Cea
Argentina against Uruguay. 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.
Pedro Cea
Uruguay · 1924–30 · RM
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Uruguay
- #13 of 33
- Caps
- 26 · 13 goals
- Clubs
- Centro Atletico Lito, C.A. Bella Vista, Club Nacional de Football
Yugoslavia led inside four minutes of the 1930 semi-final, so he equalised and kept going, finishing with three goals in a 6-1 win on 27 July. Three days later he levelled the first World Cup final at 2-2 and Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2, a title he added to Olympic gold in 1924 and 1928 and two Copa América wins, having scored five times across that first tournament. Career record: 26 caps and 13 goals for Uruguay; club career at Centro Atletico Lito, C.A. Bella Vista, Club Nacional de Football.
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.