Bastian Schweinsteiger vs Michael Essien
Germany against Ghana. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Germany · 2010s · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Germany
- #14 of 33
- Caps
- 121 · 24 goals
- Clubs
- FC Bayern Munich, Chicago Fire
- Honours
- national Player of the Year 2013 · Hall of Fame
A tireless engine and deep-lying playmaker, Schweinsteiger captained Germany to their 2014 World Cup triumph and was central to Bayern Munich's historic treble season. Career record: 121 caps and 24 goals for Germany; club career at FC Bayern Munich II, FC Bayern Munich, Chicago Fire; honours include national Player of the Year 2013, Hall of Fame.
Michael Essien
Ghana · 2005–12 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Ghana
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 59 · 9 goals
- Clubs
- SC Bastia, Olympique Lyonnais, Chelsea
Nine minutes into the semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge on 6 May 2009, a Barcelona clearance dropped to Essien 25 yards out and he volleyed it in off the underside of the bar. He won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, two Premier League titles and four FA Cups there, back-to-back Ligue 1 titles at Lyon, and took Ligue 1 Player of the Year in 2005 and BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2006. Career record: 59 caps and 9 goals for Ghana; club career at SC Bastia, Olympique Lyonnais, Chelsea.
The verdict
The almanac cannot separate them: both are rated 90.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.