Hidetoshi Nakata vs Shunsuke Nakamura
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.
Shunsuke Nakamura
Japan · 2000–07 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Japan
- #5 of 33
- Caps
- 98 · 24 goals
- Clubs
- Yokohama F. Marinos, AS Reggina 1914, Celtic
Celtic Park, 21 November 2006: Nakamura bent a free kick from 30 yards past Edwin van der Sar late on, and the 1-0 win over Manchester United sent Celtic into the knockout rounds for the first time. He was Asian Cup champion with Japan in 2000 and 2004, best player of the 2004 tournament, and won three Scottish titles, a Scottish Cup, two League Cups and Scotland's 2007 player of the year award at Celtic. Career record: 98 caps and 24 goals for Japan; club career at Yokohama F. Marinos, AS Reggina 1914, Celtic.
The verdict
The almanac puts Hidetoshi Nakata ahead by 2 rating points, 89 against 87.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.