Didier Zokora vs Franck Kessié
Côte d’Ivoire against Côte d’Ivoire. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Didier Zokora
Côte d’Ivoire · 2000–14 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 85
- Rank in Côte d’Ivoire
- #6 of 33
- Caps
- 123 · 1 goals
- Clubs
- K.R.C. Genk, Tottenham Hotspur, Trabzonspor
He answered to Maestro, and in 123 internationals between 2000 and 2014 he scored exactly once, which tells you how he spent those afternoons. He is still Côte d'Ivoire's most capped player, was runner-up at the 2006 and 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, played two World Cups, and won the 2008 League Cup with Tottenham and the 2010 Copa del Rey with Sevilla. Career record: 123 caps and 1 goals for Côte d’Ivoire; club career at K.R.C. Genk, Tottenham Hotspur, Trabzonspor.
Franck Kessié
Côte d’Ivoire · 2022–23 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 85
- Rank in Côte d’Ivoire
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 105 · 15 goals
- Clubs
- AC Cesena, AC Milan, Al Ahli
With Nigeria ahead in the 2023 final in Abidjan, Kessié met Adingra's corner unmarked at the back post in the 62nd minute and headed the equaliser, and Sébastien Haller won it later. He won the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil that night, having already taken Serie A with Milan in 2022 and La Liga with Barcelona in 2023, with the Asian Champions League following at Al-Ahli. Career record: 105 caps and 15 goals for Côte d’Ivoire; club career at AC Cesena, AC Milan, Al Ahli.
The verdict
The almanac cannot separate them: both are rated 85.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.