Brazil against Croatia. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Brazil · 1982–83 · CM
Corinthians carried a banner onto the pitch in 1983 reading "Win or lose, but always with democracy", the work of their captain, who had the squad voting on its own decisions while Brazil was still run by generals. He captained the 1982 side in Spain, was voted South American Footballer of the Year in 1983, won three Paulista titles with Corinthians, scored 22 goals in 60 games for Brazil, and qualified as a doctor before he turned professional. Career record: 60 caps and 22 goals for Brazil; club career at Botafogo Futebol Clube, S.C. Corinthians Paulista, ACF Fiorentina.
Croatia · 2010s · CM
The peerless puppet master who defied expectations to win the 2018 Ballon d’Or, orchestrating Real Madrid's dynasty and leading Croatia to global prominence. Career record: 201 caps and 29 goals for Croatia; club career at GNK Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol; honours include Ballon d'Or 2018, FIFA World Player of the Year 2018, national Player of the Year 2018.
The almanac puts Luka Modrić ahead by 3 rating points, 96 against 93.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.