Faustino Asprilla vs James Rodríguez
Colombia against Colombia. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
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.
James Rodríguez
Colombia · 2014–24 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 89
- Rank in Colombia
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 122 · 31 goals
- Clubs
- FC Porto, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, FC Bayern Munich
- Honours
- Golden Boot 2014
Twenty-five yards out at the Maracanã on 28 June 2014, back to goal, James took Abel Aguilar's header on his chest, turned and volleyed left-footed in off the bar against Uruguay. It won the Puskás Award, and he finished that World Cup with the Golden Boot on six goals; two Champions League titles at Real Madrid, La Liga in 2017, back-to-back Bundesligas at Bayern and the 2024 Copa América Golden Ball followed. Career record: 122 caps and 31 goals for Colombia; club career at FC Porto, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, FC Bayern Munich; honours include Golden Boot 2014.
The verdict
The almanac puts James Rodríguez ahead by 1 rating point, 89 against 88.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.