Bryan Ruiz vs Paulo Wanchope
Costa Rica against Costa Rica. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Bryan Ruiz
Costa Rica · 2004–14 · LM
- Almanac rating
- 85
- Rank in Costa Rica
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 147 · 29 goals
- Clubs
- Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, Fulham, Sporting CP
A header on 44 minutes in Recife, 20 June 2014, beat Italy 1-0 and left Costa Rica top of a group that also held Uruguay and England. Ruiz captained that side to the quarter-finals, where the Netherlands needed penalties to stop them, and retired after three World Cups with 147 caps and 29 goals; Twente gave him the Eredivisie in 2010 and the KNVB Cup in 2011, Sporting the Taça da Liga, Alajuelense the 2004 CONCACAF Champions' Cup. Career record: 147 caps and 29 goals for Costa Rica; club career at Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, Fulham, Sporting CP.
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 Bryan Ruiz ahead by 1 rating point, 85 against 84.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.