33·Legends

Rivaldo vs Ronaldo Nazário

Brazil against Brazil. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.

Rivaldo

Rivaldo

Brazil · 1999–2003 · CAM

Almanac rating
94
Rank in Brazil
#8 of 33
Caps
74 · 35 goals
Clubs
FC Barcelona, Olympiacos, F.C. Bunyodkor
Honours
Ballon d'Or 1999 · FIFA World Player of the Year 1999

Three goals on the last day of the 2000/01 season, the third a chested overhead kick in the 87th minute at the Camp Nou on 17 June 2001, put Barcelona into the Champions League and left Valencia out. He won the 2002 World Cup with five goals in Japan and Korea, the Ballon d'Or in 1999, the Copa América in 1999 as its top scorer, two Liga titles with Barcelona and the 2003 Champions League with Milan. Career record: 74 caps and 35 goals for Brazil; club career at FC Barcelona, Olympiacos, F.C. Bunyodkor; honours include Ballon d'Or 1999, FIFA World Player of the Year 1999.

vs
RN

Ronaldo Nazário

Brazil · 1997–2002 · ST

Almanac rating
96
Rank in Brazil
#4 of 33
Caps
98 · 62 goals
Clubs
Inter Milan, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, S.C. Corinthians Paulista
Honours
Ballon d'Or 1997 · FIFA World Player of the Year 1996 · Golden Foot 2006

Kahn had barely conceded all tournament when he spilled Rivaldo's shot in Yokohama on 30 June 2002, and Ronaldo, two knee ruptures behind him, tucked in the rebound before adding a second twelve minutes later. That win came with eight goals, the Golden Boot and a second Ballon d'Or after 1997, and he also took the Copa América in 1997 and 1999, the UEFA Cup with Inter in 1998 and a then record 15 World Cup goals. Career record: 98 caps and 62 goals for Brazil; club career at Inter Milan, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, S.C. Corinthians Paulista; honours include Ballon d'Or 1997, FIFA World Player of the Year 1996, Golden Foot 2006.

The verdict

The almanac puts Ronaldo Nazário ahead by 2 rating points, 96 against 94.

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