Pelé vs Cristiano Ronaldo
Brazil against Portugal. 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).
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal · 2002–26 · LM
- Almanac rating
- 98
- Rank in Portugal
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 233 · 146 goals
- Clubs
- Manchester United, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, Al-Nassr
- Honours
- 3× Ballon d'Or (2008–2014) · FIFA World Player of the Year 2008 · 2× European Golden Shoe (2008–2011)
The Juventus crowd stood and applauded a Real Madrid player on 3 April 2018, after he rose 2.31 metres in their own stadium and hooked an overhead kick past their goalkeeper. He has won five Ballon d'Or awards, five European Cups, Euro 2016 with Portugal, the Nations League in 2019 and 2025, and league titles in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia; his 140 Champions League goals remain the record. Career record: 233 caps and 146 goals for Portugal; club career at Manchester United, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, Al-Nassr; honours include 3× Ballon d'Or (2008–2014), FIFA World Player of the Year 2008, 2× European Golden Shoe (2008–2011).
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.