Ali Karimi vs Javad Nekounam
Iran against Iran. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Ali Karimi
Iran · 1998–2006 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Iran
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 127 · 38 goals
- Clubs
- Persepolis, Shabab AlAhli Dubai Club, Steel Azin
Tehran called him the Magician, and on 30 July 2004 he showed why with a hat-trick against South Korea in an Asian Cup quarter-final Iran won 4-3. That tournament made him joint top scorer with five goals and Asian Footballer of the Year for 2004; he won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double with Bayern Munich in 2005-06, two Iranian titles with Persepolis, Asian Games gold in 1998, and played at the 2006 World Cup among 127 caps. Career record: 127 caps and 38 goals for Iran; club career at Persepolis, Shabab AlAhli Dubai Club, Steel Azin.
Javad Nekounam
Iran · 2002–14 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Iran
- #6 of 33
- Caps
- 151 · 39 goals
- Clubs
- Pas Tehran, Club Atlético Osasuna, Esteghlal
Iran held Argentina goalless in Belo Horizonte on 21 June 2014 until Lionel Messi curled one in at the death, and the man wearing the armband through all 91 minutes was Nekounam. His 149 caps and 38 goals for Iran came alongside Asian Games gold in 2002 and the 2004 West Asian championship, a league title with Esteghlal in 2012-13, and 173 La Liga appearances across two spells at Osasuna. Career record: 151 caps and 39 goals for Iran; club career at Pas Tehran, Club Atlético Osasuna, Esteghlal.
The verdict
The almanac puts Ali Karimi ahead by 1 rating point, 87 against 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.