33·Legends

Nílton Santos vs Manuel Amoros

Brazil against France. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.

NS

Nílton Santos

Brazil · 1949–58 · LB

Almanac rating
93
Rank in Brazil
#11 of 33
Caps
75 · 3 goals
Clubs
Botafogo F.R.

Against Austria on 8 June 1958 he carried the ball out of his own half with Feola screaming at him to get back, ignored him all the way, and scored the second in a 3-0 win in Brazil's opening match. He won that World Cup and the next one in Chile, added the 1949 South American title, made the 1958 all-star eleven, won four Carioca championships and never once played for a club other than Botafogo. Career record: 75 caps and 3 goals for Brazil; club career at Botafogo F.R..

vs
MA

Manuel Amoros

France · 1980s · LB

Almanac rating
89
Rank in France
#23 of 33
Caps
82 · 1 goals
Clubs
AS Monaco, Olympique de Marseille, Olympique Lyonnais

One of France's finest full-backs, he marauded down the flanks for Monaco and Marseille, winning the Champions League and reaching the Euro 1984 final with Les Bleus. Career record: 82 caps and 1 goals for France; club career at AS Monaco, Olympique de Marseille, Olympique Lyonnais.

The verdict

The almanac puts Nílton Santos ahead by 4 rating points, 93 against 89.

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