33·Legends

Manuel Neuer vs Cristiano Ronaldo

Germany against Portugal. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.

MN

Manuel Neuer

Germany · 2013–20 · GK

Almanac rating
96
Rank in Germany
#3 of 33
Caps
128 · 0 goals
Clubs
Schalke 04, FC Bayern Munich
Honours
2× national Player of the Year (2011–2014) · 2× Hall of Fame (2019–2019)

Germany's back four pushed so high against Algeria on 30 June 2014 that he spent the night guarding the space behind them, racing beyond his box to head and hook the ball clear. A fortnight later he kept Argentina out for 120 minutes of the final, winning the World Cup and the Golden Glove, and his Bayern years brought the 2013 and 2020 Champions League inside two trebles plus five IFFHS awards as the world's best goalkeeper. Career record: 128 caps and 0 goals for Germany; club career at FC Schalke 04 II, Schalke 04, FC Bayern Munich; honours include 2× national Player of the Year (2011–2014), 2× Hall of Fame (2019–2019).

vs
CR

Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal · 2002–26 · LM

Almanac rating
98
Rank in Portugal
#1 of 33
Caps
233 · 146 goals
Clubs
Manchester United, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, Al-Nassr
Honours
3× Ballon d'Or (2008–2014) · FIFA World Player of the Year 2008 · 2× European Golden Shoe (2008–2011)

The Juventus crowd stood and applauded a Real Madrid player on 3 April 2018, after he rose 2.31 metres in their own stadium and hooked an overhead kick past their goalkeeper. He has won five Ballon d'Or awards, five European Cups, Euro 2016 with Portugal, the Nations League in 2019 and 2025, and league titles in England, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia; his 140 Champions League goals remain the record. Career record: 233 caps and 146 goals for Portugal; club career at Manchester United, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, Al-Nassr; honours include 3× Ballon d'Or (2008–2014), FIFA World Player of the Year 2008, 2× European Golden Shoe (2008–2011).

The verdict

The almanac puts Cristiano Ronaldo ahead by 2 rating points, 98 against 96.

Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.

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