Cafu vs Landon Donovan: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Forward, United States (born 1982, retired 2016)
Put Cafu and Landon Donovan side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. On production alone, Cafu posted 53 goals across 856 appearances while Landon Donovan managed 190 across 550. 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 Landon Donovan with 145. Trophy counts give Cafu 9 and Landon Donovan 9, with 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002) and 6× MLS Cup (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014) the standout honours respectively. Cafu belonged to the turn of the millennium, dominating with a rugged quality; Landon Donovan rose in the modern era with a explosive edge. Their routes to the top were distinct: Cafu built his reputation across São Paulo, Roma, Milan, peaking around 2002, while Landon Donovan reached his defining level around 2010 after spells with San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, Everton, LA Galaxy. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
186 words · comparison angle: era
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 USA's all-time leading scorer for club and country until his retirement, Donovan was the face of American soccer through three World Cups, capped by his dramatic stoppage-time winner against Algeria in 2010.
“A quick, clever forward whose intelligent movement and clinical finishing made him the USA's most decorated attacking player.”
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)
- 6× MLS Cup (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014)
- 3× CONCACAF Gold Cup (2002, 2005, 2007)
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
- 2001 Professional debut for San Jose Earthquakes
- 2001 Won MLS Cup with San Jose Earthquakes
- 2002 Won CONCACAF Gold Cup with San Jose Earthquakes
- 2010 Reached the peak of his powers at LA Galaxy
- 2016 Retired after a final spell at LA Galaxy
- Finished his career with 190 goals in 550 appearances and 9 major honours. Finished his career with 190 goals in 550 appearances and 9 major honours.
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Cafu wins out by a decisive margin on the weight of remarkable longevity.
Cafu edges it (a decisive margin)
