Garrincha vs Luís Figo
Brazil against Portugal. 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.
Luís Figo
Portugal · 2000s · RM
- Almanac rating
- 93
- Rank in Portugal
- #3 of 33
- Caps
- 127 · 32 goals
- Clubs
- Sporting CP, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 2000 · FIFA World Player of the Year 2001 · national Player of the Year
The F.C. Barcelona and Real Madrid legend was a mesmerising winger whose dazzling dribbling, pinpoint crosses, and leadership earned him the 2000 Ballon d'Or. Career record: 127 caps and 32 goals for Portugal; club career at Sporting CP, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol; honours include Ballon d'Or 2000, FIFA World Player of the Year 2001, national Player of the Year.
The verdict
The almanac puts Garrincha ahead by 4 rating points, 97 against 93.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.