Sergio Agüero vs Tostão: Stats Compared
Striker, Argentina (born 1988, retired 2021) · Striker, Brazil (born 1947, retired 1973)
Comparing Sergio Agüero with Tostão means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Legacy is the only real measure that outlives the numbers, and both have staked towering claims. The raw numbers read 427 goals in 700 outings for Sergio Agüero (0.61/game), versus 260 in 450 for Tostão (0.58/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 Tostão with 0. In major honours Sergio Agüero collected 10 — headlined by 5× Premier League (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021) — whereas Tostão amassed 4, led by 1× FIFA World Cup (1970). History will file Sergio Agüero under explosive greatness and Tostão under predatory greatness — different shelves, same temple. Their routes to the top were distinct: Sergio Agüero built his reputation across Independiente, Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, Barcelona, peaking around 2014, while Tostão reached his defining level around 1970 after spells with Cruzeiro, Vasco da Gama. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
175 words · comparison angle: legacy
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.”
A key attacking partner to Pelé in the legendary 1970 World Cup-winning side, Tostão's career was tragically cut short by a detached retina at just 26.
“A clever, technically gifted forward whose intelligent movement and passing made him the connective tissue of Brazil's 1970 attack.”
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× FIFA World Cup (1970)
- 3× Campeonato Mineiro (1966, 1967, 1968)
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.
- 1963 Professional debut for Cruzeiro
- 1970 Won FIFA World Cup with Cruzeiro
- 1966 Won Campeonato Mineiro with Cruzeiro
- 1970 Reached the peak of his powers at Cruzeiro
- 1973 Retired after a final spell at Vasco da Gama
- Finished his career with 260 goals in 450 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 260 goals in 450 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Sergio Agüero takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a sharper goalscoring record.
Sergio Agüero edges it (a decisive margin)
