Bebeto vs Mesut Özil: Stats Compared
Striker, Brazil (born 1964, retired 2005) · Attacking Midfielder, Germany (born 1988, retired 2023)
Few debates split football fans quite like Bebeto versus Mesut Özil. Their textures on the ball are what fans actually remember, and they could hardly be more different. Bebeto finishes with 300 career goals from 700 games — a 0.43 strike rate — against Mesut Özil's 114 from 645 at 0.18 per match. 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 Mesut Özil with 0. The honours ledger favours Bebeto with 4 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (1994)) against Mesut Özil's 8 (1× FIFA World Cup (2014)). Bebeto played with a explosive that made him unmistakable; Mesut Özil brought a silky that was equally his own. The wider career context matters too: Bebeto peaked around 1994 after representing Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Deportivo La Coruña, Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Botafogo, Al Ittihad, América-RJ, while Mesut Özil's defining level came around 2012 across Schalke, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Fenerbahçe. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
184 words · comparison angle: style
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.”
Mesut Özil is a German former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Known for his ball control, technical skills, creativity, passing skills, and vision, he is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation. Born and raised in Gelsenkirchen, Özil began his senior club career playing for hometown club Schalke 04, before signing with Werder Bremen in 2008, aged 19.
“A left-footed chance creator whose weight of pass and scanning made assists look effortless.”
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)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2014)
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.
- 2004 Established himself at Schalke
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Mesut Özil takes it by a decisive margin.
Mesut Özil edges it (a decisive margin)
