Kunishige Kamamoto vs Makoto Hasebe
Japan against Japan. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Kunishige Kamamoto
Japan · 1960s · SS
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Japan
- #8 of 33
- Caps
- 61 · 55 goals
- Clubs
- Cerezo Osaka
- Honours
- Hall of Fame 2014
Two first-half goals at the Azteca on 23 October 1968 beat hosts Mexico 2-0 for the Olympic bronze, and they took Kamamoto to seven for the tournament, the top scorer at the Games. That 1968 bronze was Asia's first football medal, and it sits with 75 goals in 76 internationals, still the Japan record, four Japan Soccer League titles and three Emperor's Cups at Yanmar Diesel, seven league scoring crowns and seven Japanese footballer of the year awards. Career record: 61 caps and 55 goals for Japan; club career at Cerezo Osaka; honours include Hall of Fame 2014.
Makoto Hasebe
Japan · 2007–22 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Japan
- #4 of 33
- Clubs
- Urawa Red Diamonds, VfL Wolfsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt
Frankfurt trusted him with the armband deep into his thirties, and on 6 June 2020 he went past Cha Bum-kun as the Asian player with the most Bundesliga appearances, finishing his career on 380. He captained Japan to the 2011 Asian Cup and through three World Cups, won the 2022 Europa League and 2018 DFB-Pokal at Frankfurt, the 2009 Bundesliga with Wolfsburg, and the 2007 AFC Champions League with Urawa. Career record: club career at Urawa Red Diamonds, VfL Wolfsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt.
The verdict
The almanac puts Makoto Hasebe ahead by 1 rating point, 87 against 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.