Pelé vs Gianluigi Buffon
Brazil against Italy. 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).
Gianluigi Buffon
Italy · 2000s · GK
- Almanac rating
- 96
- Rank in Italy
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 176 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- Parma Calcio 1913, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain
- Honours
- national Player of the Year 2003 · Golden Foot 2016 · Hall of Fame 2006
The legendary 'Gigi' commanded his box for decades, a true icon who lifted the 2006 World Cup with Italy. Career record: 176 caps and 0 goals for Italy; club career at Parma Calcio 1913, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain; honours include Golden Foot 2016, national Player of the Year 2003, Hall of Fame 2006.
The verdict
The almanac puts Pelé ahead by 3 rating points, 99 against 96.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.