China against China. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
China · 1981–87 · CB
The 1984 Asian Cup ended with China beaten 2-0 by Saudi Arabia in the final and their centre-back walking off as both joint top scorer, on three goals, and most valuable player of the tournament. Two Chinese league titles with Bayi in 1981 and 1986, China's Golden Ball in 1983, 1984 and 1986, 55 caps with the armband from 1987, and firsts for a Chinese player in both the UEFA Cup and the J.League. Career record: 55 caps and 9 goals for China; club career at Bayi Football Team, FK Partizan, Gamba Osaka.
China · 2002–24 · CDM
He started all three group games at the 2002 World Cup, still China's only appearance at the tournament, and spent that same season at Everton, where David Moyes used him 29 times in the Premier League. Ninety-two caps, that World Cup, a China League One title with Liaoning Whowin in 2009 and a seventh-place Everton finish make up the playing record; a 2024 conviction for bribery and match-fixing brought a 20-year sentence and a lifetime ban. Career record: 92 caps and 6 goals for China; club career at Liaoning, Everton, Chengdu Tiancheng.
The almanac puts Li Tie ahead by 1 rating point, 81 against 80.
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