Ronaldinho vs Manuel Neuer
Brazil against Germany. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Ronaldinho
Brazil · 1999–2013 · LM
- Almanac rating
- 96
- Rank in Brazil
- #3 of 33
- Caps
- 97 · 33 goals
- Clubs
- Grêmio FBPA, FC Barcelona, AC Milan
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 2005 · FIFA World Player of the Year 2004 · South American Footballer of the Year 2013
Twice at the Bernabéu on 19 November 2005 he cut in from the left and scored in a 3-0 win, and at the final whistle the crowd rose to applaud him, an honour Madrid had given no Barcelona player since Maradona. He won the 2002 World Cup, the 2006 Champions League, La Liga in 2005 and 2006, the Ballon d'Or in 2005, FIFA's world player award in 2004 and 2005, and the Copa Libertadores with Atlético Mineiro in 2013. Career record: 97 caps and 33 goals for Brazil; club career at Grêmio FBPA, FC Barcelona, AC Milan; honours include Ballon d'Or 2005, FIFA World Player of the Year 2004, South American Footballer of the Year 2013.
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 cannot separate them: both are rated 96.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.