Samuel Eto'o vs Marco van Basten
Cameroon against Netherlands. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Samuel Eto'o
Cameroon · 2000–10 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 93
- Rank in Cameroon
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 118 · 56 goals
- Clubs
- FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Antalyaspor
- Honours
- Golden Foot 2015 · African Footballer of the Year 2003
Thiago Motta's red card at Camp Nou on 28 April 2010 turned Cameroon's finest striker into a right-back, and Eto'o spent the rest of that Champions League semi-final defending against the club that had sold him. His list runs to AFCON titles in 2000 and 2002, Olympic gold the same year, three Champions Leagues, the only back-to-back treble won at two different clubs, a record 18 AFCON goals and four African Footballer of the Year awards. Career record: 118 caps and 56 goals for Cameroon; club career at FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Antalyaspor; honours include Golden Foot 2015, African Footballer of the Year 2003.
Marco van Basten
Netherlands · 1981–93 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 95
- Rank in Netherlands
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 58 · 24 goals
- Clubs
- AFC Ajax, AC Milan
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 1988 · FIFA World Player of the Year 1992
Widely considered one of the greatest strikers of all time, the three-time Ballon d'Or winner and Euro '88 champion was a phenomenon for AC Milan before his career was cut short by injury. Career record: 58 caps and 24 goals for Netherlands; club career at AFC Ajax, AC Milan; honours include Ballon d'Or 1988, FIFA World Player of the Year 1992.
The verdict
The almanac puts Marco van Basten ahead by 2 rating points, 95 against 93.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.