Johnny Carey vs José Nasazzi
Ireland against Uruguay. 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.
José Nasazzi
Uruguay · 1923–35 · RB
- Almanac rating
- 91
- Rank in Uruguay
- #6 of 33
- Caps
- 41 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- C.A. Bella Vista, Club Nacional de Football
When Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 in Montevideo on 30 July 1930, he was the man handed the Jules Rimet trophy, the first captain in history to hold it. El Gran Mariscal captained the sides that took Olympic gold in 1924 and 1928 and that 1930 World Cup, won four South American Championships in 1923, 1924, 1926 and 1935, and was voted the best player of the 1930 tournament. Career record: 41 caps and 0 goals for Uruguay; club career at C.A. Bella Vista, Club Nacional de Football.
The verdict
The almanac puts José Nasazzi ahead by 2 rating points, 91 against 89.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.