Sergio Agüero vs Pauleta: Stats Compared
Striker, Argentina (born 1988, retired 2021) · Striker, Portugal (born 1973, retired 2008)
Comparing Sergio Agüero with Pauleta means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Silverware is the currency of legacy, and both players filled cabinets that few can rival. The raw numbers read 427 goals in 700 outings for Sergio Agüero (0.61/game), versus 240 in 550 for Pauleta (0.44/game). Add playmaking to the mix and Sergio Agüero laid on 110 goals, Pauleta 40. Sergio Agüero departs the game with 10 major pieces of silverware, including 5× Premier League (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021); Pauleta with 3, including 1× Ligue 1 (2000). Sergio Agüero built his medal haul through years of ruthless consistency, while Pauleta won his with ruthless bursts of brilliance. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Sergio Agüero's landmark level arrived around 2014 with a career spanning Independiente, Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, Barcelona; Pauleta's came around 2000 across Vitória Guimarães, Salgueiros, Deportivo La Coruña, Bordeaux, Paris Saint-Germain. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
164 words · comparison angle: trophies
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.”
Portugal's all-time leading goalscorer for over a decade, Pauleta was a clinical striker who led Bordeaux to a shock Ligue 1 title before years as Paris Saint-Germain's talisman.
“A sharp-shooting, opportunistic striker with excellent positioning inside the box and a reliable finish with either foot.”
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)
- 1× Ligue 1 (2000)
- 2× Coupe de France (2004, 2006)
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.
- 1992 Professional debut for Vitória Guimarães
- 2000 Won Ligue 1 with Bordeaux
- 2004 Won Coupe de France with Paris Saint-Germain
- 2000 Reached the peak of his powers at Bordeaux
- 2008 Retired after a final spell at Paris Saint-Germain
- Finished his career with 240 goals in 550 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 240 goals in 550 appearances and 3 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)
