33·Legends

Garrincha vs Ronaldo Nazário

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

G

Garrincha

Brazil · 1958–66 · RM

Almanac rating
97
Rank in Brazil
#2 of 33
Caps
50 · 17 goals
Clubs
Botafogo F.R., Associação Atlética Portuguesa, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo

Brazil called him Alegria do Povo, and on 10 June 1962, with Pelé injured and watching, he took the quarter-final against England apart himself, heading in Zagallo's corner and then curling a second past Ron Springett. He won the World Cup in 1958 and 1962, took the Golden Ball and a share of the Golden Boot in Chile, and lost only one of his 50 matches for Brazil, his last, against Hungary in 1966. Career record: 50 caps and 17 goals for Brazil; club career at Botafogo F.R., Associação Atlética Portuguesa, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo.

vs
RN

Ronaldo Nazário

Brazil · 1997–2002 · ST

Almanac rating
96
Rank in Brazil
#4 of 33
Caps
98 · 62 goals
Clubs
Inter Milan, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, S.C. Corinthians Paulista
Honours
Ballon d'Or 1997 · FIFA World Player of the Year 1996 · Golden Foot 2006

Kahn had barely conceded all tournament when he spilled Rivaldo's shot in Yokohama on 30 June 2002, and Ronaldo, two knee ruptures behind him, tucked in the rebound before adding a second twelve minutes later. That win came with eight goals, the Golden Boot and a second Ballon d'Or after 1997, and he also took the Copa América in 1997 and 1999, the UEFA Cup with Inter in 1998 and a then record 15 World Cup goals. Career record: 98 caps and 62 goals for Brazil; club career at Inter Milan, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, S.C. Corinthians Paulista; honours include Ballon d'Or 1997, FIFA World Player of the Year 1996, Golden Foot 2006.

The verdict

The almanac puts Garrincha ahead by 1 rating point, 97 against 96.

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