Neymar vs Stanley Matthews
Brazil against England. 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).
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 Neymar ahead by 1 rating point, 93 against 92.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.