Nílton Santos vs Antonio Cabrini
Brazil against Italy. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
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..
Antonio Cabrini
Italy · 1976–1989 · LB
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Italy
- #21 of 33
- Caps
- 73 · 9 goals
- Clubs
- Atalanta BC, Juventus, Bologna F.C. 1909
His penalty went wide in the 25th minute of the 1982 final against West Germany, the first spot kick ever missed in a World Cup final, and he kept overlapping down the left until Italy had won 3-1. Bell'Antonio to the Italian public, he holds that World Cup, the 1985 European Cup and 1984 Cup Winners' Cup with Juventus, six league titles, and the 1978 best young player award. Career record: 73 caps and 9 goals for Italy; club career at Atalanta BC, Juventus, Bologna F.C. 1909.
The verdict
The almanac puts Nílton Santos ahead by 3 rating points, 93 against 90.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.