Didi vs Gianni Rivera
Brazil against Italy. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
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..
Gianni Rivera
Italy · 1960s · CM
- Almanac rating
- 93
- Rank in Italy
- #13 of 33
- Caps
- 63 · 15 goals
- Clubs
- US Alessandria Calcio 1912, AC Milan
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or
The Golden Boy of Italian football, Rivera was a sublime attacking midfielder whose elegance and goalscoring flair earned him the Ballon d'Or in 1969 and a European Cup with AC Milan. Career record: 63 caps and 15 goals for Italy; club career at US Alessandria Calcio 1912, AC Milan; honours include Ballon d'Or.
The verdict
The almanac puts Didi ahead by 1 rating point, 94 against 93.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.