Pelé vs Zico
Brazil against Brazil. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Pelé
Brazil · 1957–71 · SS
- Almanac rating
- 99
- Rank in Brazil
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 92 · 77 goals
- Clubs
- Bauru Atlético Clube, Santos, New York Cosmos
- Honours
- FIFA Player of the Century 2000 · South American Footballer of the Year 1973 · 5× Hall of Fame (1967–1997)
On 19 November 1969 the Maracanã stopped while photographers swarmed the pitch and 80,000 Vasco supporters cheered Pelé, who had just converted the penalty that was his thousandth goal. He is the only man with three World Cups, scoring twice in the 1958 final at seventeen, and he took the Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup with Santos in both 1962 and 1963 along with five Taça Brasil titles. Career record: 92 caps and 77 goals for Brazil; club career at Bauru Atlético Clube, Santos, New York Cosmos; honours include South American Footballer of the Year 1973, FIFA Player of the Century 2000, 5× Hall of Fame (1967–1997).
Zico
Brazil · 1976–86 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 95
- Rank in Brazil
- #6 of 33
Liverpool came to Tokyo as European champions on 13 December 1981 and went in three down at half-time, two of the goals laid on for Nunes by the man who ran the game from just behind him. That win completed Flamengo's 1981 double with the Copa Libertadores, and he added four Brazilian championships, South American Footballer of the Year in 1977, 1981 and 1982, World Soccer's player of the year in 1983, and 508 goals for the club.
The verdict
The almanac puts Pelé ahead by 4 rating points, 99 against 95.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.