Pelé vs Zinedine Zidane
Brazil against France. 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).
Zinedine Zidane
France · 1990s · CM
- Almanac rating
- 98
- Rank in France
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 108 · 31 goals
- Clubs
- FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 1998 · 3× FIFA World Player of the Year (1998–2003)
The mercurial maestro whose iconic Marseille turn, balletic grace, and unforgettable header in the 1998 World Cup final defined a golden era for France and Real Madrid. Career record: 108 caps and 31 goals for France; club career at FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol; honours include Ballon d'Or 1998, 3× FIFA World Player of the Year (1998–2003).
The verdict
The almanac puts Pelé ahead by 1 rating point, 99 against 98.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.