Abdoulaye Traoré Ben Badi vs Kolo Touré
Côte d’Ivoire against Côte d’Ivoire. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Abdoulaye Traoré Ben Badi
Côte d’Ivoire · 1990–95 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 84
- Rank in Côte d’Ivoire
- #8 of 33
- Caps
- 90 · 49 goals
- Clubs
- FC Metz, FC Sète, Al-Orobah
Fourteen minutes into Côte d'Ivoire's opening match of the 1992 Nations Cup, in Ziguinchor against Algeria, Ben Badi put away the goal that started a run to the country's first continental title. That title was settled 11-10 on penalties against Ghana, and with ASEC Mimosas he won six Ivorian championships in a row from 1990 to 1995, two national cups, and the league scoring prize in 1992 and 1994. Career record: 90 caps and 49 goals for Côte d’Ivoire; club career at FC Metz, FC Sète, Al-Orobah.
Kolo Touré
Côte d’Ivoire · 2002–15 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 88
- Rank in Côte d’Ivoire
- #3 of 33
- Caps
- 120 · 7 goals
- Clubs
- Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool
His 2002 Arsenal trial is remembered for a two-footed tackle on Arsène Wenger, who signed him anyway and later called it enthusiasm. The unbeaten 2003-04 season at Arsenal took in 37 of his league appearances, a second Premier League followed with Manchester City in 2012, and 120 caps for Côte d'Ivoire ended with the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, decided 9-8 on penalties against Ghana. Career record: 120 caps and 7 goals for Côte d’Ivoire; club career at Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool.
The verdict
The almanac puts Kolo Touré ahead by 4 rating points, 88 against 84.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.