Carlos Valderrama vs Faustino Asprilla
Colombia against Colombia. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Carlos Valderrama
Colombia · 1987–2000 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 89
- Rank in Colombia
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 111 · 12 goals
- Clubs
- Millonarios, Deportivo Cali, Montpellier Hérault Sport Club
In the 93rd minute against West Germany in Milan, 1990, Valderrama traded two wall passes and threaded the ball to Freddy Rincón, whose finish through Bodo Illgner's legs put Colombia into the last 16. South American Footballer of the Year in 1987 and 1993, he captained Colombia at three World Cups across 111 caps, took the first MLS MVP award in 1996 and set a league record of 26 assists in 2000, at 38. Career record: 111 caps and 12 goals for Colombia; club career at Millonarios, Deportivo Cali, Montpellier Hérault Sport Club.
Faustino Asprilla
Colombia · 1993–97 · LM
- Almanac rating
- 88
- Rank in Colombia
- #4 of 33
- Caps
- 57 · 20 goals
- Clubs
- Atlético Nacional, Parma Calcio 1913, Newcastle United
Newcastle beat Barcelona 3-2 at St James' Park on 17 September 1997, and all three goals were Asprilla's: a penalty he won himself, then two headers off Keith Gillespie crosses. Four years earlier he scored twice in Colombia's 5-0 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires; with Parma he won the 1995 UEFA Cup, the 1993 Cup Winners' Cup and the European Super Cup, and he went to two World Cups for Colombia. Career record: 57 caps and 20 goals for Colombia; club career at Atlético Nacional, Parma Calcio 1913, Newcastle United.
The verdict
The almanac puts Carlos Valderrama ahead by 1 rating point, 89 against 88.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.