Kunishige Kamamoto vs Yasuhito Endo
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.
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 cannot separate them: both are rated 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.