Hugo Sotil vs Julio Meléndez
Peru against Peru. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Hugo Sotil
Peru · 1970–75 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 89
- Rank in Peru
- #4 of 33
- Caps
- 62 · 18 goals
- Clubs
- Club Deportivo Municipal, FC Barcelona, Club Alianza Lima
Barcelona were four up at the Bernabéu on 17 February 1974 when he made it five, the afternoon Cruyff's side won 5-0 in Madrid and Catalonia found a scoreline it still quotes. Peru have won the Copa América twice and he settled the second of them in the 1975 Caracas playoff against Colombia, adding the 1973-74 Spanish championship at Barcelona and a World Cup quarter-final in 1970. Career record: 62 caps and 18 goals for Peru; club career at Club Deportivo Municipal, FC Barcelona, Club Alianza Lima.
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 Hugo Sotil ahead by 1 rating point, 89 against 88.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.