Falcão vs Andrea Pirlo
Brazil against Italy. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Falcão
Brazil · 1982–83 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 93
- Rank in Brazil
- #9 of 33
- Caps
- 28 · 6 goals
- Clubs
- S.C. Internacional, AS Roma, São Paulo
Sarrià, 5 July 1982: Júnior rolled the ball to him twenty yards from Italy's goal and he drove it in with his weaker foot for 2-2, six minutes before Paolo Rossi settled the tie and sent Brazil home. Rome crowned him its eighth king after the 1983 scudetto, and he also took three Brazilian titles with Internacional, two Coppa Italia, and the silver ball as second-best player of the 1982 World Cup. Career record: 28 caps and 6 goals for Brazil; club career at S.C. Internacional, AS Roma, São Paulo.
Andrea Pirlo
Italy · 2000s · CM
- Almanac rating
- 94
- Rank in Italy
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 116 · 13 goals
- Clubs
- AC Milan, Juventus, New York City
- Honours
- 2× Hall of Fame (2004–2006)
The deep-lying conductor, Pirlo's masterful passing and exquisite set-piece delivery guided Italy to the 2006 World Cup and Milan to two Champions League titles. Career record: 116 caps and 13 goals for Italy; club career at AC Milan, Juventus, New York City; honours include 2× Hall of Fame (2004–2006).
The verdict
The almanac puts Andrea Pirlo ahead by 1 rating point, 94 against 93.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.