Badou Zaki vs Larbi Benbarek
Morocco against Morocco. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Badou Zaki
Morocco · 1986–88 · GK
- Almanac rating
- 88
- Rank in Morocco
- #4 of 33
- Caps
- 118 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- AS Salé, Wydad Athletic Club, RCD Mallorca
- Honours
- Hall of Fame 2004
Three matches in Mexico in June 1986 and one goal past him: goalless against Poland and England, then 3-1 over Portugal, and Morocco walked out of Group F as the first African side to top a World Cup group. He was African Footballer of the Year in 1986, won two Moroccan league titles and three Throne Cups with Wydad Casablanca, took Spain's Zamora Trophy with Mallorca in 1988-89, and was voted Moroccan Footballer of the Year four times. Career record: 118 caps and 0 goals for Morocco; club career at AS Salé, Wydad Athletic Club, RCD Mallorca; honours include Hall of Fame 2004.
Larbi Benbarek
Morocco · 1938–98 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Morocco
- #2 of 33
- Clubs
- Olympique de Marseille, Stade Français Football, Atlético Madrid
France first capped him in Naples on 4 December 1938 and picked him again in October 1954, at 37, and Pelé later said that if he was the king of football, Benbarek was its god. He won La Liga with Atlético in 1950 and 1951, scoring 58 goals in 114 matches there, won 17 caps for France, and received the FIFA Order of Merit in 1998, six years after his death. Career record: club career at Olympique de Marseille, Stade Français Football, Atlético Madrid.
The verdict
The almanac puts Larbi Benbarek ahead by 2 rating points, 90 against 88.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.