Franco Baresi vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Sweeper / Centre-Back, Italy (born 1960, retired 1997) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Franco Baresi and Teófilo Cubillas represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Reputations harden into legacies, and few careers cast longer shadows than these two. By the end Franco Baresi had 19 goals from 800 caps and club outings; Teófilo Cubillas had 220 from 500. Assists were never formally recorded across most of their eras, so the playmaking dimension has to be judged on reputation and highlights rather than hard totals. Trophy counts give Franco Baresi 18 and Teófilo Cubillas 4, with 3× European Cup (1989, 1990, 1994) and 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978) the standout honours respectively. History will file Franco Baresi under commanding greatness and Teófilo Cubillas under creative greatness — different shelves, same temple. Club journeys add another layer, with Franco Baresi reaching his representative peak around 1989 across AC Milan and Teófilo Cubillas doing so around 1978 with Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
176 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
AC Milan icon who spent his entire 20-year career at the club; three-time European Cup winner and 1994 World Cup finalist with Italy.
“A peerless sweeper whose reading, tackling and leadership built a defensive dynasty at Milan.”
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
- 3× European Cup (1989, 1990, 1994)
- 6× Serie A (1979, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996)
- 4× Supercoppa Italiana
- 3× UEFA Super Cup
- 2× Intercontinental Cup (1989, 1990)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1977 AC Milan debut aged 17
- 1979 First Scudetto with Milan
- 1980 Stayed at Milan in Serie B after the betting scandal
- 1989 First European Cup with Milan
- 1994 Won the Champions League conceding just 15 goals in 30 league games
- 1997 Retired aged 37 with the number 6 shirt retired in his honour
- 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 Franco Baresi edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Franco Baresi edges it (a decisive margin)
