Cafu vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
When Cafu and Clint Dempsey are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Their jobs on the pitch were not the same, yet both redefined what their role could be. Cafu finishes with 53 career goals from 856 games — a 0.06 strike rate — against Clint Dempsey's 180 from 550 at 0.33 per match. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Cafu is credited with 0 and Clint Dempsey with 90. Cafu departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002); Clint Dempsey with 2, including 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014). The right-back duties of Cafu leaned elegant; the forward responsibilities of Clint Dempsey leaned flair-driven. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Cafu's landmark level arrived around 2002 with a career spanning São Paulo, Roma, Milan; Clint Dempsey's came around 2012 across New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
181 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
Marcos Evangelista de Morais (born 7 June 1970), known as Cafu, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a right-back. Widely regarded as one of the greatest full-backs of all time, he was known for his pace and energetic attacking runs along the right flank. He is the most-capped player for the Brazil national team with 142 appearances.
“A relentless full-back whose running power and crossing made the flank a second engine.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
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
- 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1994 Established himself at São Paulo
- 1998 Reached his defining peak
- 2002 Delivered a landmark season
- 2008 Retired from professional football
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Cafu edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Cafu edges it (a decisive margin)
