Franco Baresi vs Predrag Mijatović: Stats Compared
Sweeper / Centre-Back, Italy (born 1960, retired 1997) · Striker, Yugoslavia (born 1969, retired 2004)
Few debates split football fans quite like Franco Baresi versus Predrag Mijatović. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. The raw numbers read 19 goals in 800 outings for Franco Baresi (0.02/game), versus 210 in 500 for Predrag Mijatović (0.42/game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Franco Baresi is credited with 0 and Predrag Mijatović with 30. Franco Baresi departs the game with 18 major pieces of silverware, including 3× European Cup (1989, 1990, 1994); Predrag Mijatović with 2, including 1× UEFA Champions League (1998). The sweeper / centre-back duties of Franco Baresi leaned uncompromising; the striker responsibilities of Predrag Mijatović leaned explosive. Their routes to the top were distinct: Franco Baresi built his reputation across AC Milan, peaking around 1989, while Predrag Mijatović reached his defining level around 1998 after spells with Budućnost Podgorica, Partizan, Valencia CF, Real Madrid, Fiorentina, Levante. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
174 words · comparison angle: role
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.”
Mijatović's decisive winning goal in the 1998 Champions League final ended Real Madrid's 32-year wait for the European Cup and remains one of the club's most iconic moments.
“A clever, mobile striker whose intelligent runs in behind and composed finishing produced goals in the biggest moments.”
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)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (1998)
- 1× La Liga (1997)
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
- 1986 Professional debut for Budućnost Podgorica
- 1998 Won UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid
- 1997 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Levante
- Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Franco Baresi is the choice: a decisive margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
Franco Baresi edges it (a decisive margin)
