Alessandro Nesta vs José Santamaría
Italy against Uruguay. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Alessandro Nesta
Italy · 1993–2014 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 94
- Rank in Italy
- #6 of 33
- Caps
- 78 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- SS Lazio, AC Milan, CF Montréal
- Honours
- 2× Hall of Fame (2000–2006)
A defender of sublime grace and power, his elegant tackling and impeccable positioning made him a cornerstone for Lazio, AC Milan, and the Azzurri. Career record: 78 caps and 0 goals for Italy; club career at SS Lazio, AC Milan, CF Montréal; honours include 2× Hall of Fame (2000–2006).
José Santamaría
Uruguay · 1954–66 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 91
- Rank in Uruguay
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 20 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- Club Nacional de Football, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
Madrid's press called him El Muro, and he earned it across 337 matches for the club, having already done the rare thing of playing a World Cup for Uruguay in 1954 and another for Spain in 1962. He won four European Cups with Real Madrid in 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1966, six Spanish league titles, the 1960 Intercontinental Cup and a Copa del Generalísimo. Career record: 20 caps and 0 goals for Uruguay; club career at Club Nacional de Football, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol.
The verdict
The almanac puts Alessandro Nesta ahead by 3 rating points, 94 against 91.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.