33·Legends

Garrincha vs Thierry Henry

Brazil against France. 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
TH

Thierry Henry

France · 1997–2010 · SS

Almanac rating
94
Rank in France
#3 of 33
Caps
123 · 51 goals
Clubs
AS Monaco, Arsenal, New York Red Bulls
Honours
2× national Player of the Year (2003–2003) · European Golden Shoe 2004 · Golden Boot 2002

With his back to goal at Highbury on 1 October 2000, Denis Irwin tight behind him, he flicked the ball up, spun and volleyed it over Fabien Barthez in one motion. France won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with him in the side, Barcelona the 2009 Champions League, and he took two league titles at Arsenal, including the unbeaten season of 2003/04, leaving as their record scorer on 228 goals. Career record: 123 caps and 51 goals for France; club career at AS Monaco, Arsenal, New York Red Bulls; honours include European Golden Shoe 2004, Golden Boot 2002, 2× national Player of the Year (2003–2003).

The verdict

The almanac puts Garrincha ahead by 3 rating points, 97 against 94.

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