33·Legends

Nílton Santos vs Andreas Brehme

Brazil against Germany. 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
AB

Andreas Brehme

Germany · 1990s · LB

Almanac rating
88
Rank in Germany
#22 of 33
Caps
86 · 8 goals
Clubs
HSV Barmbek-Uhlenhorst, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Inter Milan
Honours
Hall of Fame 2018

A dead-ball specialist and a big-game player, Andreas Brehme famously scored the winning penalty in the 1990 World Cup final, proficient with both feet from left-back. Career record: 86 caps and 8 goals for Germany; club career at HSV Barmbek-Uhlenhorst, 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Inter Milan; honours include Hall of Fame 2018.

The verdict

The almanac puts Nílton Santos ahead by 5 rating points, 93 against 88.

Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.

More arguments