Javad Nekounam vs Nasser Hejazi
Iran against Iran. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
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.
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 cannot separate them: both are rated 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.