National Icons

Eusébio has Portugal’s heart, but Cristiano Ronaldo the goals and the coveted international trophy: who between the two is the greatest from his nation? Brazilians are known for their footballing creativity, but can Philippe Coutinho outshine the remarkable wizardry of Ronaldinho? And it’s an Italian goalkeeping battle of master and apprentice: Gianluigi Buffon battles Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Argentina has been blessed with two of the greatest footballers of all time. Maradona and Messi are both dynamite, diminutive number 10’s, but who between the two is his nation’s best player? And Hugo Lloris won a World Cup 20 years after Fabien Barthez claimed France’s first title in the competition, but has he done enough to supplant the Divine Bald One as Les Bleus best in the position?

Pelé is arguably the greatest to ever play the world game, an irreplaceable forward for Santos and Brazil’s senior side. But has he finally met his match in another Santos grad turned European club superstar? Joe Hart was once England’s in disputed number one in net, until Jordan Pickford took the reigns in Russia - does he have enough to outperform his predecessor? And two ferocious Algerian foxes battle for national bragging rights. 

An elite encounter featuring two of the best footballers Wales has ever produced: Giggs v Bale. Has Spain found the heir to their midfield exorcist? Xavi v Thiago. A Dutch center-back battle made of granite: Stam v Van Dijk. This is a clash of National Icons.

The German National Team has finally found a threat to the Emperor’s throne: Beckenbauer V Hummels. Uruguay boasts two fearless forwards but only one can be considered the best: Suárez V Cavani. And Slovenia struggles internationally, but definitely not in a net: Handanovic’ V Oblak. This is a clash of National Icons.

Wayne Rooney is England’s all-time leader in goals but is that enough to keep a hurricane at bay: Rooney V Kane. Brazil can kill on the counter, but who between these two can execute it the best: Kaká V Firmino. And two World Cup winners battle for France's center-back bragging rights: Varane V Umtiti. This is a clash of National Icons.

Britain has given the world game two of the most fashionable football icons, but only one played with a similar flair: Best V Beckham. United by nation, divided by club, two Spanish central defenders battle for center-back bragging rights: Ramos V Piqué. And a duo of daring goalkeepers fights for the title of Colombia’s greatest: Higuita V Ospina. This is a clash of National Icons

The Belgian National Team boasts two of the greatest talents of this generation, but only one can be considered the best: Hazard V de Bruyne. An Italian midfield maestro may have finally found his match in a pesky playmaker from Pescara: Pirlo V Verratti. And Holland hopes the impressive knack for the attack is in the genes: Kluivert V Kluivert. This is a clash of National Icons.

France has been blessed with two fabulous forwards, but only one can be considered the best: Henry V Mbappé. Chile has enjoyed a glorious golden generation, but who has been most crucial in their success: Vidal V Sanchez. And Portugal is more than just Cristiano Ronaldo, with two wide-eyed wingers ready to make an impact: Silva V Guedes. This is a clash of National Icons.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is a Bayern Munich Hall of Famer, and a German midfield great. But has a former club teammate turned Madrid mastermind surpassed him? Schweinsteiger V Kroos. His own body betrayed him while becoming a goalscoring legend, but can Brazil’s Ronaldo outbattle a man many consider his heir? Ronaldo V Gabriel Jesus. And Denmark boasts a goalkeeping clash kept in the family: Schmeichel V Schmeichel. This is a clash of National Icons.

Raul is arguably Spain’s greatest ever player, an irreplaceable forward for Real Madrid and La Roja. But has he finally met his match in another Real Madrid forward superstar in the making? Raul V Asensio. Michael Owen was once England’s undisputed number one in attack, but can another prodigy outperform his predecessor? Owen V Rashford. And two ferocious Serbian center backs battle for national bragging rights: Ivanovic V Kolarov

They share the same surname, but with the exception of their goal-scoring prowess, they couldn’t be any different: Gerd Müller V Thomas Müller. Brazil gets so much attention for their attacking flair that defensive midfielders fly under the radar...until now: Gilberto Silva V Casemiro. And speed is the name of this Senegalese game: Diouf V Mané. This is a clash of National Icons.

He’s one of the greatest English ever footballers, but can a midfielder from Milton Keynes overplay his childhood hero: Gerrard V Alli. No other Ivorian has played the world game better than these two elephants, but who means more to his nation: Drogba V Touré. And Brazil is known for scoring goals, but which of these two Selecao shot-stoppers is the best: Taffarel V Alisson. This is a clash of National Icons.

La Liga rivals and Croatian teammates Luca Modric and Ivan Rakitic carried their nation to the World Cup final. Brazilians Thiago Silva and Marquinhos employ their different styles of defense for both club and country. And Giovinco and Insigne are small and slippery Italian forwards. Croatian midfielders, Brazilian defenders, and Italian forwards in a battle of National icons.

Michael Laudrup inspired the Danish Dynamite but now Christian Eriksen is challenging his position as the greatest Dane of all. Paco Alcacer wants the same opportunity to challenge David Villa. And Aymeric Laporte is a center back in the mold of Laurent Blanc. Danish midfielders, Spanish forwards, and French defenders go head to head in a battle of National Icons.

For years Philipp Lahm was the heartbeat of Bayern Munich and Germany. Now Joshua Kimmich is cut in his mold. Edin Dzeko or Miralem Pianic have been constants for Bosnia Herzegovina but who’s the best? And Colombia’s flamboyant free spirit from days past Faustino Asprilla meets the perfectly prepared modern pro-Radamel Falcao. This is a clash of National Icons?

Carlos Valderrama led Colombia to three World Cups but the nation slumped until James Rodriguez stunned the world in 2014. Spain’s 2010 World Cup goalkeeper Iker Casillas was a Saint but his replacement David De Gea is standing tall. And France defenders Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez are unsung heroes. Valderrama v. James, Casillas v. De Gea, Hernandez v. Pavard.

Before Michel Platini became a football politician and Zinedine Zidane became a Champions League manager, they were the two greatest players France has seen. Landon Donovan was the first USA Soccer player to cut through to the general public but his record is under threat from Christian Pulisic. And two Peruvian strikers have made their mark in the Bundesliga, but who is better?

Two Spain midfield greats have had a dynamic influence on English Premier League in the last decade. In the land where defense is king, two Italian center-backs have redefined the art. And two Argentine goalkeepers are battling for one spot. It’s Fabregas versus Silva. Chiellini versus Bonucci. Caballero versus Romero. This is a clash of National Icons.

Two goalkeeping legends from Bayern Munich and Germany, two defensive beasts from Belgium, and two Brazilian-born Italians. It’s Sepp Maier versus Manuel Neuer, Vincent Kompany versus Jan Vertonghen and Thiago Motta versus Jorginho. In a clash of National Icons.

When Andrés Iniesta called time on a career enshrined in legend, everyone knew Spain was in for a tough transition. Replacing Brazil’s bullet man Roberto Carlos has also been tough. While Egyptian Hossam Hassan’s legacy looks safe with Mo Salah. It’s Iniesta and Isco, Carlos and Marcelo and Hassan against Salah. All head to head in a clash of National Icons.

For his bravado. For his charisma. For his outrageous genius, you’ve gotta love, Zlatan. But some in Sweden prefer their icons to have a little modesty. So who is their favorite, Ibrahimovic or Andreas Granqvist? Plus Germans Julian Brandt against Leroy Sané and USA Goalkeepers Brad Friedel against Tim Howard. Head to head in a clash of National Icons.

Football can play havoc with personal friendships but Marco Reus and Mario Gotze have supported each other through good times and bad. Now they are head to head in a clash of National Icons. Plus Raheem Sterling versus Jaden Sancho and Brazilians Paulinho versus Arthur.

Sir Bobby Charlton has known tragedy and triumph in their rawest forms while serving English football with unrivaled distinction. But at club level is there one midfielder who can match his figures? It’s Charlton versus Frank Lampard, plus Argentina’s Carlos Tevez against Paulo Dybala and Ivorians Salomon Kalou versus Gervinho. Head to head in a clash of National Icons.

Antoine Griezmann and Youri Djorkaeff helped France to World Cups 20 years apart, Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd have played key roles in building Team USA into the powerhouse of women’s football, and Sami Khedira and Emre Can are German defenders, both playing in Italy. Three more clashes in National Icons.

Two Roman gladiators, two German midfield guns, and two Belgian strikers. It’s Totti and De Rossi, Ballack and Goretzka, Mermans and Lukaku. Head to head in a clash of National Icons.

USA’s men’s football team has been unable to make much impression on the world stage but it is not the fault of their last two leaders. In Brazil, two fullbacks have redefined the position, and in Algeria, two Fennec Foxes have done it with flair. Dempsey and Bradley, Cafu and Alves, Mahrez and Slimani. Head to head in a clash of National Icons.

One is Manchester City’s greatest goalscorer, the other has been a star for four big clubs in Spain and Italy. But in Argentina playing second banana to Lionel Messi has been tougher. Plus two Spanish fullbacks and two Australian forwards. It’s Higuain versus Aguero. Alba against Carvajal. And Tim Cahill takes on Samantha Kerr. Head to head in a clash of National Icons.

Mesut Ozil’s ability is unquestioned, but his endeavour has drawn criticism. While Julian Draxler’s commitment is proven but he is yet to fulfill his potential. Plus Diego Costa against Alvaro Morata and Mustapha Hadji takes on Hakim Ziyech. Head to head in three more clashes of National Icons.