33·Legends

Romário vs Manuel Neuer

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

R

Romário

Brazil · 1989–97 · ST

Almanac rating
95
Rank in Brazil
#5 of 33
Caps
70 · 55 goals
Clubs
CR Vasco da Gama, PSV Eindhoven, Fluminense
Honours
FIFA World Player of the Year 1994

In the Clásico of 8 January 1994 he dragged the ball a full turn around his marker, the move Spain calls the cola de vaca, and finished; two more goals followed in a 5-0 win over Real Madrid. Five goals and the Golden Ball won Brazil the 1994 World Cup, and he was FIFA's world player that year, top scorer in La Liga with 30 goals in the title season, and a Copa América winner in 1989 and 1997. Career record: 70 caps and 55 goals for Brazil; club career at CR Vasco da Gama, PSV Eindhoven, Fluminense; honours include FIFA World Player of the Year 1994.

vs
MN

Manuel Neuer

Germany · 2013–20 · GK

Almanac rating
96
Rank in Germany
#3 of 33
Caps
128 · 0 goals
Clubs
Schalke 04, FC Bayern Munich
Honours
2× national Player of the Year (2011–2014) · 2× Hall of Fame (2019–2019)

Germany's back four pushed so high against Algeria on 30 June 2014 that he spent the night guarding the space behind them, racing beyond his box to head and hook the ball clear. A fortnight later he kept Argentina out for 120 minutes of the final, winning the World Cup and the Golden Glove, and his Bayern years brought the 2013 and 2020 Champions League inside two trebles plus five IFFHS awards as the world's best goalkeeper. Career record: 128 caps and 0 goals for Germany; club career at FC Schalke 04 II, Schalke 04, FC Bayern Munich; honours include 2× national Player of the Year (2011–2014), 2× Hall of Fame (2019–2019).

The verdict

The almanac puts Manuel Neuer ahead by 1 rating point, 96 against 95.

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