Cafu vs Luís Figo: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Winger, Portugal (born 1972, retired 2009)
Comparing Cafu with Luís Figo means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. Across his senior career Cafu notched 53 goals in 856 appearances (0.06 per game), while Luís Figo recorded 144 in 737 (0.20 per game). Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. In major honours Cafu collected 9 — headlined by 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002) — whereas Luís Figo amassed 12, led by 1× UEFA Champions League (2002). Their finishing mirrored their personalities: Cafu uncompromising, Luís Figo orchestrating. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Cafu's landmark level arrived around 2002 with a career spanning São Paulo, Roma, Milan; Luís Figo's came around 2000 across Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
163 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
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.”
Portuguese winger and 2000 Ballon d'Or winner; won league titles in Spain and Italy at Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter.
“A right-wing dribbler with a trademark step-over and the capacity to deliver telling crosses all day.”
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× UEFA Champions League (2002)
- 4× La Liga (1998, 1999, 2001, 2003)
- 4× Serie A (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
- 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1997)
- 2× Copa del Rey (1997, 1998)
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
- 1989 Sporting CP debut
- 1995 Joined Barcelona
- 2000 Controversial transfer to Real Madrid
- 2000 Ballon d'Or winner
- 2002 Champions League winner with Real Madrid
- 2005 Signed for Inter Milan
- 2009 Retired at Inter Milan
The verdict
The numbers give Luís Figo the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Luís Figo edges it (a clear margin)
