Arsenio Erico vs José Luis Chilavert
Paraguay against Paraguay. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Arsenio Erico
Paraguay · 1937–42 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 91
- Rank in Paraguay
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 56 · 26 goals
- Clubs
- Club Nacional, Club Atlético Independiente, Club Atlético Huracán
Independiente's crowd called him the Saltarín Rojo for the way he rose above defenders, and in 1937 he scored 47 league goals in a single Argentine season, a figure nobody has matched since. Argentina's top scorer in 1937, 1938 and 1939, he won the league with Independiente in 1938 and 1939 and the Paraguayan title with Nacional in 1942, scoring close to 300 goals in Argentina, and Alfredo Di Stéfano rated him among the greatest he ever saw. Career record: 56 caps and 26 goals for Paraguay; club career at Club Nacional, Club Atlético Independiente, Club Atlético Huracán.
José Luis Chilavert
Paraguay · 1994–99 · GK
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Paraguay
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 74 · 8 goals
- Clubs
- San Lorenzo de Almagro, Real Zaragoza, Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield
In 1999 he stepped up three times for Vélez Sarsfield against Ferro Carril Oeste and converted all three penalties, the first goalkeeper in professional football to score a hat-trick. He won the 1994 Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup with Vélez, four Argentine championships, three IFFHS world goalkeeper awards in 1995, 1997 and 1998, a place in the 1998 World Cup team of the tournament, and finished on 67 career goals, second only to Rogério Ceni among keepers. Career record: 74 caps and 8 goals for Paraguay; club career at San Lorenzo de Almagro, Real Zaragoza, Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield.
The verdict
The almanac puts Arsenio Erico ahead by 1 rating point, 91 against 90.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.