Karim Bagheri vs Parviz Ghelichkhani
Iran against Iran. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Karim Bagheri
Iran · 1997–98 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Iran
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 87 · 50 goals
- Clubs
- Tractor, Keshavarz, Arminia Bielefeld
On 2 June 1997 he scored seven times against the Maldives in a World Cup qualifier, matching the record for a single qualifying match, and finished that campaign as the leading scorer across all six confederations with 19 goals. He ended with 50 goals in 87 caps, the most by any midfielder in international football, and won Asian Games gold in 1998 plus a run of league titles at Persepolis. Career record: 87 caps and 50 goals for Iran; club career at Tractor, Keshavarz, Arminia Bielefeld.
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.