Ali Parvin vs Javad Nekounam
Iran against Iran. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Ali Parvin
Iran · 1972–78 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Iran
- #3 of 33
- Caps
- 76 · 8 goals
- Clubs
- Kian, Paykan, Persepolis
A hundred thousand people were inside the Aryamehr Stadium in Tehran on 13 June 1976 when Parvin scored in the 73rd minute to beat Kuwait and keep the Asian Cup in Iran. Tournament MVP that summer, he had already won the 1972 Asian Cup and Asian Games gold in 1974, went to Iran's first World Cup in 1978, and made 341 appearances for Persepolis over 18 years, scoring 153 goals. Career record: 76 caps and 8 goals for Iran; club career at Kian, Paykan, Persepolis.
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 Parvin ahead by 1 rating point, 87 against 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.