Garrincha vs Alfredo Di Stéfano
Brazil against Spain. 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.
Alfredo Di Stéfano
Spain · 1945–66 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 98
- Rank in Spain
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 31 · 23 goals
- Clubs
- Millonarios, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, RCD Espanyol de Barcelona
- Honours
- 2× Ballon d'Or (1957–1959) · 2× Hall of Fame
A true visionary, the iconic Argentine-born forward transformed Real Madrid into a European powerhouse, winning five consecutive European Cups. Career record: 31 caps and 23 goals for Spain; club career at Millonarios, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, RCD Espanyol de Barcelona; honours include 2× Ballon d'Or (1957–1959), 2× Hall of Fame.
The verdict
The almanac puts Alfredo Di Stéfano ahead by 1 rating point, 98 against 97.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.