Mehdi Mahdavikia vs Nasser Hejazi
Iran against Iran. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Mehdi Mahdavikia
Iran · 1998–2003 · RB
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Iran
- #8 of 33
- Caps
- 110 · 13 goals
- Clubs
- Persepolis, Hamburger SV, Steel Azin
Lyon, 21 June 1998: his goal made it 2-0 against the United States and sealed Iran's first win at a World Cup. Hamburg then kept him for eight seasons and 211 Bundesliga appearances, and he was named Asian Footballer of the Year in 2003, having already taken Asian Games gold in 1998; he finished with 110 caps and three years as Iran's captain. Career record: 110 caps and 13 goals for Iran; club career at Persepolis, Hamburger SV, 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 cannot separate them: both are rated 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.