Gianluigi Buffon vs Rivelino: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Italy (born 1978, retired 2023) · Left Midfielder, Brazil (born 1946, retired 1981)
Gianluigi Buffon against Rivelino is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. They belonged to different eras, which makes any direct comparison a test of imagination as much as statistics. On production alone, Gianluigi Buffon posted 1 goals across 1147 appearances while Rivelino managed 238 across 624. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Gianluigi Buffon departs the game with 15 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2006); Rivelino with 8, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1970). Gianluigi Buffon belonged to the turn of the millennium, dominating with a authoritative quality; Rivelino rose in the 1970s with a dictatorial edge. Their routes to the top were distinct: Gianluigi Buffon built his reputation across Parma, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Parma, peaking around 2006, while Rivelino reached his defining level around 1970 after spells with Corinthians, Fluminense, Al-Hilal. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
166 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Italian goalkeeper and the most capped Italian player of all time; 2006 World Cup winner and ten-time Serie A champion.
“An authoritative, athletic keeper whose longevity made him the most-capped goalkeeper in history.”
Roberto Rivellino (born 1 January 1946), known mononymously as Rivellino, is a Brazilian football pundit and former player. He was a key member of Brazil’s 1970 FIFA World Cup-winning team and played as an attacking midfielder. He was renowned for his moustache, powerful long-range shooting, accurate passing, close control, dribbling and bending free kicks.
“A left-footed conductor famous for the elastico, fierce shooting and daring switches of play.”
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 (2006)
- 10× Serie A
- 2× Coppa Italia
- 1× UEFA Cup (1999)
- 1× Ligue 1 (2019)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1970)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1995 Parma debut
- 2001 World-record keeper transfer to Juventus
- 2003 Lost the Champions League final on penalties
- 2006 World Cup winner with Italy
- 2018 Joined Paris Saint-Germain
- 2019 Returned to Juventus
- 2023 Scored a career goal for Parma in Serie B
- 1962 Established himself at Corinthians
- 1966 Reached his defining peak
- 1970 Delivered a landmark season
- 1981 Retired from professional football
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Gianluigi Buffon takes it by a narrow margin.
Gianluigi Buffon edges it (a narrow margin)
