Pelé vs Andriy Shevchenko
Brazil against Ukraine. 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).
Andriy Shevchenko
Ukraine · 2003–04 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 95
- Rank in Ukraine
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 111 · 48 goals
- Clubs
- FC Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 2004 · 5× Hall of Fame (2004–2004)
Ukraine's favourite son, the clinical Milan striker lifted the Champions League in 2003 and earned the 2004 Ballon d'Or for his prolific goal-scoring. Career record: 111 caps and 48 goals for Ukraine; club career at FC Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea; honours include Ballon d'Or 2004, 5× Hall of Fame (2004–2004).
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.