Cafu vs Raymond Kopa: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Forward, France (born 1931, retired 1967)
There is something timeless about weighing Cafu against Raymond Kopa. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. By the end Cafu had 53 goals from 856 caps and club outings; Raymond Kopa had 150 from 450. 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 Raymond Kopa amassed 5, led by 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959). Where Cafu was a anticipatory presence in the box, Raymond Kopa offered a ruthless approach to goalscoring. Club journeys add another layer, with Cafu reaching his representative peak around 2002 across São Paulo, Roma, Milan and Raymond Kopa doing so around 1958 with Angers, Reims, Real Madrid, Reims. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
160 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.”
France's first football superstar and 1958 Ballon d'Or winner, Kopa won three straight European Cups alongside Di Stéfano at Real Madrid before returning to lead Reims.
“A diminutive, dazzling dribbler and creator whose vision and close control made him the conductor of every attack he played in.”
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)
- 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)
- 2× Ligue 1 (1953, 1960)
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
- 1949 Professional debut for Angers
- 1957 Won European Cup with Real Madrid
- 1953 Won Ligue 1 with Reims
- 1958 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 1967 Retired after a final spell at Reims
- Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Cafu wins out by a decisive margin on the weight of a weightier trophy cabinet.
Cafu edges it (a decisive margin)
