Ali Karimi vs Nasser Hejazi
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.
Nasser Hejazi
Iran · 1970–2000 · GK
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Iran
- #10 of 33
- Caps
- 62 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- Esteghlal, Shahin, Mohammedan SC
Scotland could not beat him in Córdoba on 7 June 1978; their only goal was an Iranian own goal, and the 1-1 draw stayed Iran's sole World Cup point for twenty years. The AFC named him the second-best Asian goalkeeper of the twentieth century in 2000, and his medals include the 1976 Asian Cup won in Tehran, Asian Games gold in 1974 and the 1970 Asian club title with Taj. Career record: 62 caps and 0 goals for Iran; club career at Esteghlal, Shahin, Mohammedan SC.
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.