Bebeto vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Striker, Brazil (born 1964, retired 2005) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
The Bebeto–Teófilo Cubillas comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Where pure finishing is concerned, this is a shootout between two of the most feared marksmen of their time. Across his senior career Bebeto notched 300 goals in 700 appearances (0.43 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, Bebeto is credited with 60 and Teófilo Cubillas with 0. Trophy counts give Bebeto 4 and Teófilo Cubillas 4, with 1× FIFA World Cup (1994) and 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978) the standout honours respectively. Their finishing mirrored their personalities: Bebeto clinical, Teófilo Cubillas incisive. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Bebeto's landmark level arrived around 1994 with a career spanning Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Deportivo La Coruña, Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Botafogo, Al Ittihad, América-RJ; Teófilo Cubillas's came around 1978 across Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
188 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Famous for the 'rock the baby' goal celebration at the 1994 World Cup, Bebeto formed a lethal strike partnership with Romário in Brazil's triumphant campaign.
“A sharp, clever striker with excellent movement off the shoulder of the last defender and clinical composure in front of goal.”
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
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1994)
- 1× Copa América (1989)
- 2× Campeonato Brasileiro (1989, 1997)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1983 Professional debut for Flamengo
- 1994 Won FIFA World Cup with Deportivo La Coruña
- 1989 Won Campeonato Brasileiro with Flamengo
- 1994 Reached the peak of his powers at Deportivo La Coruña
- 2005 Retired after a final spell at América-RJ
- Finished his career with 300 goals in 700 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 300 goals in 700 appearances and 4 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
Weighing production, silverware and profile, the two finish within a whisker of each other. Call it a respectful draw — greatness of this calibre resists a single winner.
Too close to call — a respectful draw
