George Best vs José Luis Chilavert: Stats Compared
Winger / Forward, Northern Ireland (born 1946, retired 1984) · Goalkeeper, Paraguay (born 1965, retired 2004)
Set George Best alongside José Luis Chilavert and the numbers start an argument of their own. Strikers are judged on goals, and on that raw currency both men delivered extraordinary returns. George Best finishes with 214 career goals from 616 games — a 0.35 strike rate — against José Luis Chilavert's 67 from 737 at 0.09 per match. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Trophy counts give George Best 5 and José Luis Chilavert 8, with 1× European Cup (1968) and 1× Copa Libertadores (1994) the standout honours respectively. George Best scored with a clinical that defined his era, while José Luis Chilavert's finishing carried a imposing all of its own. Their routes to the top were distinct: George Best built his reputation across Manchester United, Fulham, others, peaking around 1968, while José Luis Chilavert reached his defining level around 1994 after spells with San Lorenzo, Real Zaragoza, Vélez Sarsfield, Strasbourg. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
179 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Northern Irish winger and Manchester United icon; Ballon d'Or winner in 1968 after helping Manchester United win their first European Cup.
“A balance-perfect winger who combined dribbling flair with an eye for goal and a rock-star aura.”
José Luis Félix Chilavert González is a Paraguayan former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Sportivo Luqueño, Guaraní, San Lorenzo de Almagro, Real Zaragoza, Vélez Sarsfield, RC Strasbourg, Peñarol and the Paraguay national team. Chilavert won 12 club titles, including the 1994 Copa Libertadores and the 1994 Intercontinental Cup, while playing for Vélez Sarsfield, and is a three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award winner. A fast and agile shot-stopper, known for his leadership, strong personality, and goalkeeping ability, he was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world in his prime; outside of his goalkeeping position, Chilavert was also known for his outfield skills and ability as a free kick specialist, and often took penalties.
“A commanding goalkeeper and set-piece specialist who made scoring from distance part of his job.”
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× European Cup (1968)
- 2× English First Division (1965, 1967)
- 2× FA Charity Shield (1965, 1967)
- 1× Copa Libertadores (1994)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1963 Manchester United debut aged 17
- 1965 First English First Division title
- 1968 European Cup winner and Ballon d'Or winner
- 1968 Joint top scorer in the First Division
- 1972 Brief retirement then return to Manchester United
- 1974 Left Manchester United
- 1984 Made final professional appearances in the United States
- 1986 Established himself at San Lorenzo
- 1990 Reached his defining peak
- 1994 Delivered a landmark season
- 2004 Retired from professional football
The verdict
The numbers give George Best the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
George Best edges it (a clear margin)
