Li Tie vs Wu Lei
China against China. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Li Tie
China · 2002–24 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 81
- Rank in China
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 92 · 6 goals
- Clubs
- Liaoning, Everton, Chengdu Tiancheng
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.
Wu Lei
China · 2018–24 · LM
- Almanac rating
- 82
- Rank in China
- #6 of 33
- Clubs
- Shanghai Port, RCD Espanyol de Barcelona
A substitute at Camp Nou on 4 January 2020, he equalised in the 88th minute for Espanyol and became the first Chinese player to score against Barcelona, in a 2-2 draw. Chinese Super League titles in 2018 and 2023, Golden Boots in 2018 and 2024, the league's all-time leading scorer, a single-season record of 31 goals, Asian Cup team of the tournament in 2019, and past 100 caps with 36 goals. Career record: club career at Shanghai Port, RCD Espanyol de Barcelona.
The verdict
The almanac puts Wu Lei ahead by 1 rating point, 82 against 81.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.