Bobby Charlton vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, England (born 1937, retired 1973) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Bobby Charlton against Teófilo Cubillas is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Silverware is the currency of legacy, and both players filled cabinets that few can rival. Across his senior career Bobby Charlton notched 249 goals in 758 appearances (0.33 per game), while Teófilo Cubillas recorded 220 in 500 (0.44 per game). Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Bobby Charlton departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1966); Teófilo Cubillas with 4, including 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978). Bobby Charlton built his medal haul through years of dictatorial consistency, while Teófilo Cubillas won his with orchestrating bursts of brilliance. Club journeys add another layer, with Bobby Charlton reaching his representative peak around 1966 across Manchester United, Preston North End and Teófilo Cubillas doing so around 1978 with Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
182 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Sir Robert Charlton (11 October 1937 – 21 October 2023) was an English footballer who played as an attacking midfielder, left winger or centre-forward. Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, he was a member of the England team that won the 1966 FIFA World Cup, the year he also won the Ballon d'Or. He finished second in the Ballon d'Or voting in 1967 and 1968.
“A gracious long-range shooter who married timing, stamina and world-class technique.”
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× FIFA World Cup (1966)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1958 Established himself at Manchester United
- 1962 Reached his defining peak
- 1966 Delivered a landmark season
- 1973 Retired from professional football
- 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
Weighing production against honours, Bobby Charlton takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Bobby Charlton edges it (a decisive margin)
