33·Legends

Manuel Neuer vs Juan Alberto Schiaffino

Germany against Uruguay. 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
JA

Juan Alberto Schiaffino

Uruguay · 1950–59 · CM

Almanac rating
94
Rank in Uruguay
#1 of 33
Caps
21 · 8 goals
Clubs
Club Atlético Peñarol, AC Milan, AS Roma

The Maracanã fell quiet in the 66th minute on 16 July 1950, when he met Ghiggia's cross and put Uruguay level against a Brazil side already being called champions. That afternoon brought the 1950 World Cup, and he added three Uruguayan titles with Peñarol, a world record move to Milan for 52 million lire in 1954, three Serie A championships in 1955, 1957 and 1959, and the Latin Cup in 1956. Career record: 21 caps and 8 goals for Uruguay; club career at Club Atlético Peñarol, AC Milan, AS Roma.

The verdict

The almanac puts Manuel Neuer ahead by 2 rating points, 96 against 94.

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