Celso Ayala vs José Saturnino Cardozo
Paraguay against Paraguay. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Celso Ayala
Paraguay · 1996–98 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Paraguay
- #10 of 33
- Caps
- 85 · 6 goals
- Clubs
- Club Atlético River Plate, Real Betis Balompié, Atlético Madrid
Inside a minute in Toulouse on 24 June 1998, the centre-half put Paraguay ahead against Nigeria, and that 3-1 win carried them into the second round. He won the Copa Libertadores with River Plate in 1996 and six Argentine league titles across two spells there, and he played 85 times for Paraguay at four Copa América tournaments and the 1998 World Cup. Career record: 85 caps and 6 goals for Paraguay; club career at Club Atlético River Plate, Real Betis Balompié, Atlético Madrid.
José Saturnino Cardozo
Paraguay · 1998–2003 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 88
- Rank in Paraguay
- #4 of 33
- Caps
- 82 · 25 goals
- Clubs
- Club Deportivo Universidad Católica, Club Olimpia, Toluca
Toluca have never had another like him: 249 goals in 332 games, a club record nobody has come near. He won four Mexican championships there, in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002, took four league Golden Boots between 1998 and 2003, lifted the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2003, and scored 25 goals in 82 appearances for Paraguay. Career record: 82 caps and 25 goals for Paraguay; club career at Club Deportivo Universidad Católica, Club Olimpia, Toluca.
The verdict
The almanac puts José Saturnino Cardozo ahead by 2 rating points, 88 against 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.