Makoto Hasebe vs Shunsuke Nakamura
Japan against Japan. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
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.
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 cannot separate them: both are rated 87.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.