Larbi Benbarek vs Noureddine Naybet
Morocco against Morocco. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
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.
Noureddine Naybet
Morocco · 1992–2004 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Morocco
- #8 of 33
- Caps
- 115 · 4 goals
- Clubs
- Wydad Athletic Club, Sporting CP, Deportivo de A Coruña
- Honours
- Hall of Fame 2004
At 34 he joined Tottenham for £700,000 and scored his only goal for them in the 4-5 north London derby of November 2004, a volley past Jens Lehmann in a match with nine different scorers. He had already won Deportivo's first La Liga title in 2000, the African Cup of Champions Clubs with Wydad in 1992, a Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups; his 115 Morocco caps across 17 years remain the only century by a Moroccan. Career record: 115 caps and 4 goals for Morocco; club career at Wydad Athletic Club, Sporting CP, Deportivo de A Coruña; honours include Hall of Fame 2004.
The verdict
The almanac puts Larbi Benbarek ahead by 3 rating points, 90 against 87.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.