Javad Nekounam vs Parviz Ghelichkhani
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.
Parviz Ghelichkhani
Iran · 1962–1978 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Iran
- #5 of 33
- Caps
- 64 · 12 goals
- Clubs
- Kian, Esteghlal, San Jose Earthquakes
Captaining Iran in front of a hundred thousand at Tehran's Aryamehr Stadium, he lifted Asian Games gold in September 1974, a deep-lying midfielder trusted for his tackling, his range of pass and his authority. No other player has won three straight Asian Cups, which he did in 1968, 1972 and 1976, and his 66 caps ended with his removal from Iran's first World Cup squad in 1978, a decision widely read as political. Career record: 64 caps and 12 goals for Iran; club career at Kian, Esteghlal, San Jose Earthquakes.
The verdict
The almanac puts Parviz Ghelichkhani ahead by 1 rating point, 87 against 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.