Luka Modrić vs Lothar Matthäus
Croatia against Germany. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Luka Modrić
Croatia · 2010s · CM
- Almanac rating
- 96
- Rank in Croatia
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 201 · 29 goals
- Clubs
- GNK Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 2018 · FIFA World Player of the Year 2018 · national Player of the Year 2018
The peerless puppet master who defied expectations to win the 2018 Ballon d’Or, orchestrating Real Madrid's dynasty and leading Croatia to global prominence. Career record: 201 caps and 29 goals for Croatia; club career at GNK Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol; honours include Ballon d'Or 2018, FIFA World Player of the Year 2018, national Player of the Year 2018.
Lothar Matthäus
Germany · 1980–91 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 94
- Rank in Germany
- #4 of 33
- Caps
- 150 · 23 goals
- Clubs
- Borussia Mönchengladbach, FC Bayern Munich, Inter Milan
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or · 2× national Player of the Year (1990–1999) · 3× Hall of Fame (2018–2018)
Taking the ball from Augenthaler inside his own half at the San Siro on 10 June 1990, he carried it through the Yugoslav midfield, stepped past Davor Jozic and struck it from 25 metres. That summer he lifted the World Cup as captain in Rome, then took the Ballon d'Or and became the first FIFA World Player of the Year in 1991, on top of Euro 1980, the 1991 UEFA Cup, seven Bundesliga titles and 150 caps for Germany. Career record: 150 caps and 23 goals for Germany; club career at Borussia Mönchengladbach, FC Bayern Munich, Inter Milan; honours include Ballon d'Or, 2× national Player of the Year (1990–1999), 3× Hall of Fame (2018–2018).
The verdict
The almanac puts Luka Modrić ahead by 2 rating points, 96 against 94.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.