Sócrates vs Lothar Matthäus
Brazil against Germany. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Sócrates
Brazil · 1982–83 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 93
- Rank in Brazil
- #12 of 33
- Caps
- 60 · 22 goals
- Clubs
- Botafogo Futebol Clube, S.C. Corinthians Paulista, ACF Fiorentina
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.
Lothar Matthäus
Germany · 1980–91 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 94
- Rank in Germany
- #4 of 33
- Caps
- 150 · 23 goals
- Clubs
- Borussia Mönchengladbach, FC Bayern Munich, Inter Milan
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or · 2× national Player of the Year (1990–1999) · 3× Hall of Fame (2018–2018)
Taking the ball from Augenthaler inside his own half at the San Siro on 10 June 1990, he carried it through the Yugoslav midfield, stepped past Davor Jozic and struck it from 25 metres. That summer he lifted the World Cup as captain in Rome, then took the Ballon d'Or and became the first FIFA World Player of the Year in 1991, on top of Euro 1980, the 1991 UEFA Cup, seven Bundesliga titles and 150 caps for Germany. Career record: 150 caps and 23 goals for Germany; club career at Borussia Mönchengladbach, FC Bayern Munich, Inter Milan; honours include Ballon d'Or, 2× national Player of the Year (1990–1999), 3× Hall of Fame (2018–2018).
The verdict
The almanac puts Lothar Matthäus ahead by 1 rating point, 94 against 93.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.