Mário Zagallo vs Stanley Matthews
Brazil against England. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Mário Zagallo
Brazil · 1958–64 · LM
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Brazil
- #28 of 33
- Caps
- 33 · 5 goals
- Clubs
- America Football Club, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, Botafogo F.R.
Sweden led the 1958 final when the tireless left winger they called Formiguinha, the little ant, headed a shot off his own goal line; before the end he scored Brazil's fourth in a 5-2 win. That was the first of two World Cups as a player, and in 1970 he coached Brazil to a third, the first man to win the trophy in both roles, with five Rio championships at Flamengo and Botafogo. Career record: 33 caps and 5 goals for Brazil; club career at America Football Club, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, Botafogo F.R..
Stanley Matthews
England · 1950s · LM
- Almanac rating
- 92
- Rank in England
- #5 of 33
- Caps
- 54 · 11 goals
- Clubs
- Stoke City, The Football League XI, Blackpool
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or · 2× Hall of Fame
The original 'Wizard of the Dribble,' this legendary winger's mesmerizing footwork earned him the inaugural Ballon d'Or in 1956. Career record: 54 caps and 11 goals for England; club career at Stoke City, The Football League XI, Blackpool; honours include Ballon d'Or, 2× Hall of Fame.
The verdict
The almanac puts Stanley Matthews ahead by 2 rating points, 92 against 90.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.