Mehdi Mahdavikia vs Parviz Ghelichkhani
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.
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.