Claudio Pizarro vs Julio Meléndez
Peru against Peru. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Claudio Pizarro
Peru · 2001–18 · SS
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Peru
- #9 of 33
- Caps
- 85 · 20 goals
- Clubs
- Club Alianza Lima, SV Werder Bremen, FC Bayern Munich
On the final day of the 2018/19 season, at 40 years and 227 days, he scored the 88th-minute winner against RB Leipzig and left the Bundesliga its oldest goalscorer. He won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup with Bayern in 2013, the Intercontinental Cup in 2001, six Bundesliga titles and five DFB-Pokals, plus a Pokal with Bremen, and finished with 197 Bundesliga goals in 490 games. Career record: 85 caps and 20 goals for Peru; club career at Club Alianza Lima, SV Werder Bremen, FC Bayern Munich.
Julio Meléndez
Peru · 1968–75 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 88
- Rank in Peru
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 35 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- Club Atletico Defensor Lima 1931, Sport Boys, Defensor Arica
La 12 sang him his own chant at the Bombonera, y ya lo ve, es el peruano y su ballet, and Boca Juniors, who signed him in 1968, ended up putting the captain's armband on a Peruvian centre-back. Two Argentine championships in 1969 and 1970, the Copa Argentina in 1969, the Copa América with Peru in 1975, 35 caps, and a place in Boca's all-time XI. Career record: 35 caps and 0 goals for Peru; club career at Club Atletico Defensor Lima 1931, Sport Boys, Defensor Arica.
The verdict
The almanac puts Julio Meléndez ahead by 1 rating point, 88 against 87.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.