Roberto Carlos vs Bixente Lizarazu
Brazil against France. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Roberto Carlos
Brazil · 1997–2002 · LB
- Almanac rating
- 92
- Rank in Brazil
- #17 of 33
- Caps
- 125 · 10 goals
- Clubs
- Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, Fenerbahçe Istanbul
Lyon, 3 June 1997: Deschamps fouled Romário 35 metres out, and the left back struck a free kick so far off line that Barthez never moved, before it bent back, clipped the post and went in. He won the 2002 World Cup, Copa América in 1997 and 1999, three European Cups with Real Madrid between 1998 and 2002, four Spanish titles, and finished as Ballon d'Or runner-up in 2002 with 125 caps for Brazil. Career record: 125 caps and 10 goals for Brazil; club career at Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, Fenerbahçe Istanbul.
Bixente Lizarazu
France · 1988–2006 · LB
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in France
- #13 of 33
- Caps
- 97 · 2 goals
- Clubs
- FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Athletic Club, FC Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich's shootout against Valencia at the San Siro in May 2001 came down to nerve, and the small Basque left back buried his penalty on the way to the European Cup. He started the finals of both the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, won two Confederations Cups with France, and collected six Bundesliga titles and five German cups at Bayern. Career record: 97 caps and 2 goals for France; club career at FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Athletic Club, FC Bayern Munich.
The verdict
The almanac puts Roberto Carlos ahead by 2 rating points, 92 against 90.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.