Cafu vs Pavel Nedvěd: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Midfielder, Czech Republic (born 1972, retired 2009)
When Cafu and Pavel Nedvěd are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Silverware is the currency of legacy, and both players filled cabinets that few can rival. Career output puts Cafu at 53 goals in 856 games, with Pavel Nedvěd at 156 in 711. 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 Pavel Nedvěd amassed 9, led by 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1999). Cafu built his medal haul through years of rugged consistency, while Pavel Nedvěd won his with incisive bursts of brilliance. Their routes to the top were distinct: Cafu built his reputation across São Paulo, Roma, Milan, peaking around 2002, while Pavel Nedvěd reached his defining level around 2003 after spells with Dukla Prague, Sparta Prague, Lazio, Juventus. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
167 words · comparison angle: trophies
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.”
Czech midfielder and 2003 Ballon d'Or winner; Serie A champion with Lazio and Juventus.
“A tireless attacking midfielder with explosive shooting from distance and endless running.”
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 Cup Winners' Cup (1999)
- 1× UEFA Super Cup (1999)
- 3× Serie A (2000, 2002, 2003)
- 2× Coppa Italia (1998, 2000)
- 2× Supercoppa Italiana (2002, 2003)
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
- 1991 Dukla Prague debut
- 1996 Joined Lazio
- 1999 Won the Cup Winners' Cup with Lazio
- 2001 Joined Juventus as Zidane's replacement
- 2003 Ballon d'Or winner, reached the Champions League final
- 2005 Stayed at Juventus in Serie B after Calciopoli
- 2009 Retired at Juventus
The verdict
The numbers give Pavel Nedvěd the lead — a narrow margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Pavel Nedvěd edges it (a narrow margin)
