Hidetoshi Nakata vs Yasuhito Endo
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.
Yasuhito Endo
Japan · 2004–19 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Japan
- #10 of 33
- Caps
- 152 · 15 goals
- Clubs
- Kyoto Sanga, Gamba Osaka, Júbilo Iwata
No one has played more J.League football than Endo's 672 matches, and on 2 August 2019 he came off the bench for Gamba Osaka against Vissel Kobe to reach 1,000 official appearances. Two Asian Cups came with Japan, in 2004 and 2011, and his 152 caps remain the national record; Gamba Osaka brought the 2008 AFC Champions League and its best player award, two J1 titles and four Emperor's Cups, plus Asian Footballer of the Year in 2009. Career record: 152 caps and 15 goals for Japan; club career at Kyoto Sanga, Gamba Osaka, Júbilo Iwata.
The verdict
The almanac puts Hidetoshi Nakata ahead by 3 rating points, 89 against 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.