Elías Figueroa vs Marcelo Salas
Chile against Chile. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Elías Figueroa
Chile · 1974–78 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 92
- Rank in Chile
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 47 · 2 goals
- Clubs
- Club Atlético Peñarol, S.C. Internacional, C.D. Palestino
On 14 December 1975 at the Beira-Rio, sunlight broke through the cloud as he rose above Cruzeiro's defenders to head in Valdomiro's cross, the only goal of the final and the one Brazilians call the Gol Iluminado. South American Footballer of the Year in 1974, 1975 and 1976, he won Brazilian championships in 1975 and 1976, Uruguayan titles with Peñarol, the Chilean league with Palestino in 1978, and a place in the 1974 World Cup all-star team. Career record: 47 caps and 2 goals for Chile; club career at Club Atlético Peñarol, S.C. Internacional, C.D. Palestino.
Marcelo Salas
Chile · 1998–2000 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 89
- Rank in Chile
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 70 · 37 goals
- Clubs
- Club Universidad de Chile, Club Atlético River Plate, SS Lazio
Sierra's long ball came down on his thigh at Wembley in February 1998, and the volley that followed beat Nigel Martyn before he added a penalty in a 2-0 win over England. In France that summer he scored four times, and the honours run to Serie A and the Coppa Italia with Lazio in 2000, two Scudetti at Juventus, four Argentine titles at River Plate and 37 goals for Chile, a record until Alexis Sánchez broke it. Career record: 70 caps and 37 goals for Chile; club career at Club Universidad de Chile, Club Atlético River Plate, SS Lazio.
The verdict
The almanac puts Elías Figueroa ahead by 3 rating points, 92 against 89.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.