33·Legends

Didi vs Manuel Neuer

Brazil against Germany. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.

D

Didi

Brazil · 1957–62 · CM

Almanac rating
94
Rank in Brazil
#7 of 33
Caps
68 · 20 goals
Clubs
Madureira Esporte Clube, Fluminense, Botafogo F.R.

On 21 April 1957 he bent a folha seca free kick past the Peruvian goalkeeper Asca after eleven minutes at the Maracanã, the only goal of the night, and Brazil were on the plane to Sweden. He won the World Cup there in 1958 and again in Chile in 1962, and was voted the best player of the 1958 tournament ahead of Pelé and Garrincha. Career record: 68 caps and 20 goals for Brazil; club career at Madureira Esporte Clube, Fluminense, Botafogo F.R..

vs
MN

Manuel Neuer

Germany · 2013–20 · GK

Almanac rating
96
Rank in Germany
#3 of 33
Caps
128 · 0 goals
Clubs
Schalke 04, FC Bayern Munich
Honours
2× national Player of the Year (2011–2014) · 2× Hall of Fame (2019–2019)

Germany's back four pushed so high against Algeria on 30 June 2014 that he spent the night guarding the space behind them, racing beyond his box to head and hook the ball clear. A fortnight later he kept Argentina out for 120 minutes of the final, winning the World Cup and the Golden Glove, and his Bayern years brought the 2013 and 2020 Champions League inside two trebles plus five IFFHS awards as the world's best goalkeeper. Career record: 128 caps and 0 goals for Germany; club career at FC Schalke 04 II, Schalke 04, FC Bayern Munich; honours include 2× national Player of the Year (2011–2014), 2× Hall of Fame (2019–2019).

The verdict

The almanac puts Manuel Neuer ahead by 2 rating points, 96 against 94.

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