Aulis Rytkönen vs Jari Litmanen
Finland against Finland. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Aulis Rytkönen
Finland · 1950s · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 82
- Rank in Finland
- #9 of 33
- Caps
- 37 · 7 goals
- Clubs
- Kuopion Palloseura, Toulouse, Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi
- Honours
- Hall of Fame
Toulouse supporters called him Monsieur Magic, and the 1957 French Cup final earned the name, four assists in a 6-3 win over Angers. He had left Finland in 1952 as the country's first professional footballer, was voted Finnish player of the year in 1949, 1950 and 1952, played at the Helsinki Olympics and won 37 caps before returning to coach HJK Helsinki. Career record: 37 caps and 7 goals for Finland; club career at Kuopion Palloseura, Toulouse, Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi; honours include Hall of Fame.
Jari Litmanen
Finland · 1990s · CM
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Finland
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 137 · 32 goals
- Clubs
- Reipas Lahti, Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi, AFC Ajax
- Honours
- 2× national Player of the Year (1994–1999) · 2× Hall of Fame (2020–2020)
The legendary 'King' of Ajax, Litmanen was a silky playmaker whose vision and goalscoring prowess spearheaded their 1995 Champions League triumph. Career record: 137 caps and 32 goals for Finland; club career at Reipas Lahti, Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi, AFC Ajax; honours include 2× national Player of the Year (1994–1999), 2× Hall of Fame (2020–2020).
The verdict
The almanac puts Jari Litmanen ahead by 8 rating points, 90 against 82.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.