Sun Jihai vs Wu Lei
China against China. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Sun Jihai
China · 1996–2015 · RB
- Almanac rating
- 84
- Rank in China
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 80 · 1 goals
- Clubs
- Dalian Shide, Manchester City, Guizhou Renhe
On 26 October 2002 at Birmingham, Sun rose to head Manchester City in front after 24 minutes, the first goal an East Asian player had scored in the Premier League. Four Chinese league titles with Dalian between 1996 and 2001, the 2001 FA Cup, 130 appearances for Manchester City, 80 caps, the 2002 World Cup and a runners-up medal at the 2004 Asian Cup preceded his induction into English football's Hall of Fame in 2015. Career record: 80 caps and 1 goals for China; club career at Dalian Shide, Manchester City, Guizhou Renhe.
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 Sun Jihai ahead by 2 rating points, 84 against 82.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.