33·Legends

Zico vs Manuel Neuer

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

Z

Zico

Brazil · 1976–86 · CAM

Almanac rating
95
Rank in Brazil
#6 of 33

Liverpool came to Tokyo as European champions on 13 December 1981 and went in three down at half-time, two of the goals laid on for Nunes by the man who ran the game from just behind him. That win completed Flamengo's 1981 double with the Copa Libertadores, and he added four Brazilian championships, South American Footballer of the Year in 1977, 1981 and 1982, World Soccer's player of the year in 1983, and 508 goals for the club.

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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