Neymar vs Rivaldo
Brazil against Brazil. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Neymar
Brazil · 2010–23 · LM
- Almanac rating
- 93
- Rank in Brazil
- #10 of 33
- Caps
- 130 · 80 goals
- Clubs
- Santos, FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain
- Honours
- 2× South American Footballer of the Year (2011–2012)
Two years after the 7-1 in Belo Horizonte, he beat Germany at the Maracanã on 20 August 2016, curling a free kick into the top corner and then taking the penalty that decided the shootout for Brazil's first Olympic football gold. A brace against Bolivia in 2023 took him past Pelé as Brazil's leading scorer, and his club years brought the 2015 Champions League with Barcelona, the 2011 Libertadores with Santos, two Liga titles and Ligue 1 in Paris. Career record: 130 caps and 80 goals for Brazil; club career at Santos, FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain; honours include 2× South American Footballer of the Year (2011–2012).
Rivaldo
Brazil · 1999–2003 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 94
- Rank in Brazil
- #8 of 33
- Caps
- 74 · 35 goals
- Clubs
- FC Barcelona, Olympiacos, F.C. Bunyodkor
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 1999 · FIFA World Player of the Year 1999
Three goals on the last day of the 2000/01 season, the third a chested overhead kick in the 87th minute at the Camp Nou on 17 June 2001, put Barcelona into the Champions League and left Valencia out. He won the 2002 World Cup with five goals in Japan and Korea, the Ballon d'Or in 1999, the Copa América in 1999 as its top scorer, two Liga titles with Barcelona and the 2003 Champions League with Milan. Career record: 74 caps and 35 goals for Brazil; club career at FC Barcelona, Olympiacos, F.C. Bunyodkor; honours include Ballon d'Or 1999, FIFA World Player of the Year 1999.
The verdict
The almanac puts Rivaldo ahead by 1 rating point, 94 against 93.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.