David Beckham vs Raymond Kopa: Stats Compared
Right Midfielder, England (born 1975, retired 2013) · Forward, France (born 1931, retired 1967)
David Beckham and Raymond Kopa represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Their jobs on the pitch were not the same, yet both redefined what their role could be. By the end David Beckham had 145 goals from 839 caps and club outings; Raymond Kopa had 150 from 450. 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 Raymond Kopa with 0. In major honours David Beckham collected 13 — headlined by 1× UEFA Champions League (1999) — whereas Raymond Kopa amassed 5, led by 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959). As a right midfielder David Beckham bent the role to a silky template; as a forward, Raymond Kopa redefined it with explosive authority. Club journeys add another layer, with David Beckham reaching his representative peak around 1999 across Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Raymond Kopa doing so around 1958 with Angers, Reims, Real Madrid, Reims. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
191 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.”
France's first football superstar and 1958 Ballon d'Or winner, Kopa won three straight European Cups alongside Di Stéfano at Real Madrid before returning to lead Reims.
“A diminutive, dazzling dribbler and creator whose vision and close control made him the conductor of every attack he played in.”
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)
- 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)
- 2× Ligue 1 (1953, 1960)
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
- 1949 Professional debut for Angers
- 1957 Won European Cup with Real Madrid
- 1953 Won Ligue 1 with Reims
- 1958 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 1967 Retired after a final spell at Reims
- Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, David Beckham takes it by a decisive margin.
David Beckham edges it (a decisive margin)
