Hidetoshi Nakata vs Shinji Kagawa
Japan against Japan. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Hidetoshi Nakata
Japan · 1997–2006 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 89
- Rank in Japan
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 77 · 11 goals
- Clubs
- Shonan Bellmare, A.C. Perugia Calcio, Parma Calcio 1913
Perugia trailed Juventus 3-0 at half-time of his Serie A debut on 13 September 1998, and he answered with two goals past Peruzzi in seven minutes before the champions held on to win 4-3. He won the Serie A title with Roma in 2001 and the Coppa Italia with Parma the following year, was Asian Footballer of the Year in 1997 and 1998, and played 77 times for Japan across the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups. Career record: 77 caps and 11 goals for Japan; club career at Shonan Bellmare, A.C. Perugia Calcio, Parma Calcio 1913.
Shinji Kagawa
Japan · 2011–17 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 88
- Rank in Japan
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 97 · 31 goals
- Clubs
- Cerezo Osaka, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United
Rooney set up all three on 2 March 2013 and he finished each one without fuss, a 4-0 win over Norwich that made him the first Asian player to score a Premier League hat-trick. Two Bundesliga titles at Dortmund in 2011 and 2012 came with the 2012 German cup, followed by the 2012-13 Premier League with Manchester United, the 2011 Asian Cup with Japan, and a second DFB-Pokal back in Dortmund in 2017. Career record: 97 caps and 31 goals for Japan; club career at Cerezo Osaka, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United.
The verdict
The almanac puts Hidetoshi Nakata ahead by 1 rating point, 89 against 88.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.