Garrincha vs Luka Modrić
Brazil against Croatia. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
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.
Luka Modrić
Croatia · 2010s · CM
- Almanac rating
- 96
- Rank in Croatia
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 201 · 29 goals
- Clubs
- GNK Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 2018 · FIFA World Player of the Year 2018 · national Player of the Year 2018
The peerless puppet master who defied expectations to win the 2018 Ballon d’Or, orchestrating Real Madrid's dynasty and leading Croatia to global prominence. Career record: 201 caps and 29 goals for Croatia; club career at GNK Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol; honours include Ballon d'Or 2018, FIFA World Player of the Year 2018, national Player of the Year 2018.
The verdict
The almanac puts Garrincha ahead by 1 rating point, 97 against 96.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.