Alejandro Morera Soto vs Paulo Wanchope
Costa Rica against Costa Rica. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Alejandro Morera Soto
Costa Rica · 1928–98 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 83
- Rank in Costa Rica
- #5 of 33
- Caps
- 7 · 6 goals
- Clubs
- Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, FC Barcelona, Hércules CF
In 1933 he beat Ricardo Zamora in a 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid, and closed his first Spanish season as Barcelona's leading scorer with 41 goals. El Mago del Balón scored 312 league goals in 364 Alajuelense games, took Costa Rican titles in 1928, 1939 and 1945 and the Catalan championship in 1935, and was voted his country's player of the century in 1998; his heart lies beneath the east stand of the ground named after him. Career record: 7 caps and 6 goals for Costa Rica; club career at Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, FC Barcelona, Hércules CF.
Paulo Wanchope
Costa Rica · 1997–2006 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 84
- Rank in Costa Rica
- #4 of 33
- Caps
- 73 · 45 goals
- Clubs
- Derby County, West Ham United, Manchester City
He made his Derby County debut at Old Trafford on 5 April 1997, beat four Manchester United players and finished past Peter Schmeichel in a 3-2 win, later voted the greatest goal in Derby's history. His two goals against Germany in the 2006 opener made him the first Costa Rican to score twice in a World Cup match, and he finished with 44 goals in 73 caps, Manchester City's 2001-02 First Division title and the 1999 Intertoto Cup. Career record: 73 caps and 45 goals for Costa Rica; club career at Derby County, West Ham United, Manchester City.
The verdict
The almanac puts Paulo Wanchope ahead by 1 rating point, 84 against 83.
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