David Beckham vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Right Midfielder, England (born 1975, retired 2013) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Few debates split football fans quite like David Beckham versus Teófilo Cubillas. They belonged to different eras, which makes any direct comparison a test of imagination as much as statistics. The raw numbers read 145 goals in 839 outings for David Beckham (0.17/game), versus 220 in 500 for Teófilo Cubillas (0.44/game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, David Beckham is credited with 152 and Teófilo Cubillas with 0. In major honours David Beckham collected 13 — headlined by 1× UEFA Champions League (1999) — whereas Teófilo Cubillas amassed 4, led by 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978). Across the 1990s and the 1970s respectively, their incisive and orchestrating styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Context beyond the headline totals is important: David Beckham's landmark level arrived around 1999 with a career spanning Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain; Teófilo Cubillas's came around 1978 across Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
196 words · comparison angle: era
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.”
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× UEFA Champions League (1999)
- 6× Premier League
- 2× FA Cup
- 1× La Liga (2007)
- 2× MLS Cup (2011, 2012)
- 1× Ligue 1 (2013)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
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
- 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
If forced to pick, David Beckham is the choice: a decisive margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
David Beckham edges it (a decisive margin)
