Johnny Carey vs Achraf Hakimi
Ireland against Morocco. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Johnny Carey
Ireland · 1937–1953 · RB
- Almanac rating
- 89
- Rank in Ireland
- #3 of 33
- Caps
- 29 · 3 goals
- Clubs
- Manchester United, Shamrock Rovers, Everton
Nine different positions bore his name on Manchester United teamsheets, goalkeeper included, yet it was as captain that he lifted the FA Cup after the celebrated 4-2 final against Blackpool in 1948. The First Division title of 1952 followed, along with the 1949 Footballer of the Year award and the honour of captaining the Rest of Europe XI at Hampden in 1947. Career record: 29 caps and 3 goals for Ireland; club career at Manchester United, Shamrock Rovers, Everton.
Achraf Hakimi
Morocco · 2018–26 · RB
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Morocco
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 99 · 12 goals
- Clubs
- Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain
- Honours
- Hall of Fame 2022
Spain had missed all three of their penalties when Hakimi stepped up in Al Rayyan on 6 December 2022 and dinked a Panenka down the middle to send Morocco into the World Cup quarter-finals. He has three European Cups, one at Real Madrid in 2018 and two at Paris in 2025 and 2026, plus Serie A with Inter in 2021, Ligue 1 every season since he joined Paris, and the African Footballer of the Year award in 2025. Career record: 99 caps and 12 goals for Morocco; club career at Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain; honours include Hall of Fame 2022.
The verdict
The almanac puts Achraf Hakimi ahead by 1 rating point, 90 against 89.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.