Bebeto vs Park Ji-sung: Stats Compared
Striker, Brazil (born 1964, retired 2005) · Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014)
Put Bebeto and Park Ji-sung side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. Strip away the highlights and the medal count tells its own story for each man. Bebeto finishes with 300 career goals from 700 games — a 0.43 strike rate — against Park Ji-sung's 60 from 550 at 0.11 per match. The assist columns read 60 for Bebeto and 60 for Park Ji-sung where the record exists. The honours ledger favours Bebeto with 4 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (1994)) against Park Ji-sung's 5 (4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)). One lifted trophies through explosive reliability, the other through creative moments that decided finals. 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 Park Ji-sung's defining level came around 2008 across Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
171 words · comparison angle: trophies
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.”
The first Asian player to win the Champions League and reach a World Cup semi-final, Park was renowned for his tireless work rate and big-game performances for Manchester United.
“A relentless, selfless box-to-box midfielder whose stamina and tactical discipline made him invaluable in the biggest matches.”
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× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
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.
- 2000 Professional debut for Kyoto Purple Sanga
- 2007 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 2008 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 2008 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Queens Park Rangers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 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
