33·Legends

Garrincha vs Cristiano Ronaldo

Brazil against Portugal. 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
CR

Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal · 2002–26 · LM

Almanac rating
98
Rank in Portugal
#1 of 33
Caps
233 · 146 goals
Clubs
Manchester United, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, Al-Nassr
Honours
3× Ballon d'Or (2008–2014) · FIFA World Player of the Year 2008 · 2× European Golden Shoe (2008–2011)

The Juventus crowd stood and applauded a Real Madrid player on 3 April 2018, after he rose 2.31 metres in their own stadium and hooked an overhead kick past their goalkeeper. He has won five Ballon d'Or awards, five European Cups, Euro 2016 with Portugal, the Nations League in 2019 and 2025, and league titles in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia; his 140 Champions League goals remain the record. Career record: 233 caps and 146 goals for Portugal; club career at Manchester United, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, Al-Nassr; honours include 3× Ballon d'Or (2008–2014), FIFA World Player of the Year 2008, 2× European Golden Shoe (2008–2011).

The verdict

The almanac puts Cristiano Ronaldo ahead by 1 rating point, 98 against 97.

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