Fabio Cannavaro vs José Santamaría
Italy against Uruguay. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Fabio Cannavaro
Italy · 2000s · CB
- Almanac rating
- 95
- Rank in Italy
- #5 of 33
- Caps
- 136 · 2 goals
- Clubs
- Parma Calcio 1913, Juventus, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
- Honours
- Ballon d'Or 2006 · FIFA World Player of the Year 2006 · 2× Hall of Fame (2000–2006)
The inspirational captain who hoisted the 2006 World Cup, his defensive masterclass earned him the Ballon d'Or that same year. Career record: 136 caps and 2 goals for Italy; club career at Parma Calcio 1913, Juventus, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol; honours include Ballon d'Or 2006, FIFA World Player of the Year 2006, 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 Fabio Cannavaro ahead by 4 rating points, 95 against 91.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.