Adriano vs Teddy Sheringham: Stats Compared
Striker, Brazil (born 1982, retired 2016) · Striker, England (born 1966, retired 2008)
Adriano and Teddy Sheringham represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Era matters in any comparison, and these two peaked under very different footballing conditions. On production alone, Adriano posted 190 goals across 400 appearances while Teddy Sheringham managed 320 across 900. The assist columns read 30 for Adriano and 130 for Teddy Sheringham where the record exists. In major honours Adriano collected 4 — headlined by 1× Copa América (2004) — whereas Teddy Sheringham amassed 4, led by 1× UEFA Champions League (1999). Across the turn of the millennium and the 1990s respectively, their explosive and ruthless styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Club journeys add another layer, with Adriano reaching his representative peak around 2005 across Flamengo, Internazionale, São Paulo, Flamengo, Corinthians, Miami United and Teddy Sheringham doing so around 1999 with Millwall, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, West Ham United, Colchester United. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
173 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Nicknamed 'The Emperor', Adriano was briefly considered the best striker in the world in the mid-2000s, combining brute power with surprising technique before injuries and personal struggles derailed his career.
“An immensely powerful striker whose combination of strength, pace and a ferocious shot made him briefly unplayable.”
A cerebral, late-developing striker, Sheringham scored the injury-time equaliser in Manchester United's 1999 Champions League final and remains the Premier League's oldest ever goalscorer.
“An intelligent, deep-dropping forward whose clever hold-up play and vision created space for quicker strike partners.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 1× Copa América (2004)
- 1× FIFA Confederations Cup (2005)
- 2× Serie A (2007, 2008)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (1999)
- 2× Premier League (1999, 2000)
- 1× FA Cup (1999)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2000 Professional debut for Flamengo
- 2004 Won Copa América with Internazionale
- 2007 Won Serie A with Internazionale
- 2005 Reached the peak of his powers at Internazionale
- 2016 Retired after a final spell at Miami United
- Finished his career with 190 goals in 400 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 190 goals in 400 appearances and 4 major honours.
- 1984 Professional debut for Millwall
- 1999 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 1999 Won FA Cup with Manchester United
- 1999 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2008 Retired after a final spell at Colchester United
- Finished his career with 320 goals in 900 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 320 goals in 900 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Adriano takes it by a narrow margin.
Adriano edges it (a narrow margin)
