Michael Essien vs Marco Tardelli
Ghana against Italy. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
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.
Marco Tardelli
Italy · 1980s · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 91
- Rank in Italy
- #18 of 33
- Caps
- 81 · 6 goals
- Clubs
- Pisa SC, Juventus, Inter Milan
His iconic scream after scoring in the 1982 World Cup final perfectly encapsulated the passion and tenacity of Italy's midfield engine. Career record: 81 caps and 6 goals for Italy; club career at Pisa SC, Juventus, Inter Milan.
The verdict
The almanac puts Marco Tardelli ahead by 1 rating point, 91 against 90.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.