Xabi Alonso vs N'Golo Kanté
Spain against France. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Xabi Alonso
Spain · 1999–2017 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 89
- Rank in Spain
- #28 of 33
- Caps
- 114 · 16 goals
- Clubs
- Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
- Honours
- Hall of Fame 2011
A midfield maestro with an exquisite passing range, Xabi Alonso’s calming presence and pinpoint distribution were vital to Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern, and Spain's World Cup and Euros wins. Career record: 114 caps and 16 goals for Spain; club career at Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol; honours include Hall of Fame 2011.
N'Golo Kanté
France · 2012–26 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 91
- Rank in France
- #10 of 33
- Caps
- 69 · 2 goals
- Clubs
- Stade Malherbe Caen, Chelsea, Al Ittihad
In Porto on 29 May 2021 he covered the whole width of Manchester City's midfield, winning the ball again and again, and left the pitch as man of the match in Chelsea's Champions League final. France's 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League head his honours, alongside that Champions League night, the 2019 Europa League, and Premier League titles with Leicester in 2016 and Chelsea a year later. Career record: 69 caps and 2 goals for France; club career at Stade Malherbe Caen, Chelsea, Al Ittihad.
The verdict
The almanac puts N'Golo Kanté ahead by 2 rating points, 91 against 89.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.