Finidi George vs John Obi Mikel
Nigeria against Nigeria. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Finidi George
Nigeria · 1994–96 · RM
- Almanac rating
- 88
- Rank in Nigeria
- #4 of 33
- Caps
- 62 · 6 goals
- Clubs
- AFC Ajax, Real Betis Balompié, Ipswich Town
Against Greece on 30 June 1994 he dinked the ball over Christos Karkamanis, then dropped onto all fours, crawled towards the corner flag and cocked a leg like a dog marking its patch. Finidi started the whole of Ajax's 1995 European Cup final win over Milan, added the Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup that year, took three straight Eredivisie titles from 1994 and reached the 1996 final too, and won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria. Career record: 62 caps and 6 goals for Nigeria; club career at AFC Ajax, Real Betis Balompié, Ipswich Town.
John Obi Mikel
Nigeria · 2012–18 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Nigeria
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 91 · 6 goals
- Clubs
- Chelsea, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Stoke City
- Honours
- Hall of Fame
On 26 June 2018, the day Nigeria played Argentina at the World Cup, he learned his father had been kidnapped, said nothing to the dressing room and played the full ninety minutes. Mikel won the Champions League and then the Europa League with Chelsea in 2012 and 2013, two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, and Olympic bronze in Rio as captain. Career record: 91 caps and 6 goals for Nigeria; club career at Chelsea, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Stoke City; honours include Hall of Fame.
The verdict
The almanac puts Finidi George ahead by 2 rating points, 88 against 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.