Cafu vs Gary Neville: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Right-Back, England (born 1975, retired 2011)
Cafu against Gary Neville is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Where pure finishing is concerned, this is a shootout between two of the most feared marksmen of their time. By the end Cafu had 53 goals from 856 caps and club outings; Gary Neville had 7 from 602. 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 Gary Neville with 40. Cafu departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002); Gary Neville with 13, including 8× Premier League (1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008). Cafu scored with a elegant that defined his era, while Gary Neville's finishing carried a resolute all of its own. The wider career context matters too: Cafu peaked around 2002 after representing São Paulo, Roma, Milan, while Gary Neville's defining level came around 1999 across Manchester United. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
177 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.”
A one-club man over nineteen years, Neville was the reliable, fiercely competitive right-back of Manchester United's most decorated era, later becoming a leading broadcaster.
“A disciplined, tactically intelligent full-back whose positioning and consistency mattered more than flair.”
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)
- 8× Premier League (1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008)
- 3× FA Cup (1996, 1999, 2004)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008)
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
- 1992 Professional debut for Manchester United
- 1996 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 1999 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 1999 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2011 Retired after a final spell at Manchester United
- Finished his career with 7 goals in 602 appearances and 13 major honours. Finished his career with 7 goals in 602 appearances and 13 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Cafu takes it by a decisive margin.
Cafu edges it (a decisive margin)
