David Beckham vs Cafu: Stats Compared
Right Midfielder, England (born 1975, retired 2013) · Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008)
Ask any fan to rank David Beckham above or below Cafu and you will get a passionate answer. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. Across his senior career David Beckham notched 145 goals in 839 appearances (0.17 per game), while Cafu recorded 53 in 856 (0.06 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — David Beckham is listed at 152 and Cafu at 0 where figures survive. The honours ledger favours David Beckham with 13 major trophies (1× UEFA Champions League (1999)) against Cafu's 9 (2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002)). As a right midfielder David Beckham bent the role to a dictatorial template; as a right-back, Cafu redefined it with commanding authority. The wider career context matters too: David Beckham peaked around 1999 after representing Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, while Cafu's defining level came around 2002 across São Paulo, Roma, Milan. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
179 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
English midfielder renowned for his crossing and free-kicks; Champions League winner with Manchester United in 1999 and six-time Premier League champion.
“A pinpoint crosser and dead-ball specialist whose right foot could deliver any ball over any distance.”
Marcos Evangelista de Morais (born 7 June 1970), known as Cafu, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a right-back. Widely regarded as one of the greatest full-backs of all time, he was known for his pace and energetic attacking runs along the right flank. He is the most-capped player for the Brazil national team with 142 appearances.
“A relentless full-back whose running power and crossing made the flank a second engine.”
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× UEFA Champions League (1999)
- 6× Premier League
- 2× FA Cup
- 1× La Liga (2007)
- 2× MLS Cup (2011, 2012)
- 1× Ligue 1 (2013)
- 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1992 Manchester United debut
- 1996 Scored a goal from halfway against Wimbledon
- 1999 Treble winner with Manchester United
- 2001 Last-minute free-kick against Greece sent England to the World Cup
- 2003 Joined Real Madrid
- 2007 Moved to LA Galaxy
- 2013 Won Ligue 1 with PSG and retired
- 1994 Established himself at São Paulo
- 1998 Reached his defining peak
- 2002 Delivered a landmark season
- 2008 Retired from professional football
The verdict
On balance David Beckham edges the comparison. The margin is a clear margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
David Beckham edges it (a clear margin)
