Sergio Agüero vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Striker, Argentina (born 1988, retired 2021) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
The Sergio Agüero–Teófilo Cubillas comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Position shapes everything in football, and these two fulfilled very different briefs. Across his senior career Sergio Agüero notched 427 goals in 700 appearances (0.61 per game), while Teófilo Cubillas recorded 220 in 500 (0.44 per game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Sergio Agüero is credited with 110 and Teófilo Cubillas with 0. In major honours Sergio Agüero collected 10 — headlined by 5× Premier League (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021) — whereas Teófilo Cubillas amassed 4, led by 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978). As a striker Sergio Agüero bent the role to a explosive template; as a attacking midfielder, Teófilo Cubillas redefined it with creative authority. Their routes to the top were distinct: Sergio Agüero built his reputation across Independiente, Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, Barcelona, peaking around 2014, while Teófilo Cubillas reached his defining level around 1978 after spells with Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
196 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
A clinical, ice-cool Argentine striker who scored Manchester City's most dramatic title-winning goal and became the club's all-time top scorer.
“A low, powerful, instinctive finisher with explosive acceleration in the box and a knack for the biggest moments.”
Peru's greatest ever player, Cubillas remains the only man to score five goals across two separate World Cups, inspiring Peru's celebrated 1978 side.
“A quick, two-footed attacking midfielder renowned for a ferocious long-range shot and clever dribbling in tight spaces.”
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
- 5× Premier League (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021)
- 1× UEFA Europa League (2010)
- 4× League Cup (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2003 Professional debut for Independiente
- 2012 Won Premier League with Manchester City
- 2014 Won League Cup with Manchester City
- 2014 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester City
- 2021 Retired after a final spell at Barcelona
- Finished his career with 427 goals in 700 appearances and 10 major honours. Finished his career with 427 goals in 700 appearances and 10 major honours.
- 1966 Professional debut for Alianza Lima
- 1967 Won Peruvian Primera División with Alianza Lima
- 1978 Reached the peak of his powers at Alianza Lima
- 1989 Retired after a final spell at Alianza Lima
- Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Sergio Agüero edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Sergio Agüero edges it (a decisive margin)
