Cafu vs Ferenc Puskás: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Forward, Hungary (born 1927, retired 1966)
Cafu versus Ferenc Puskás is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Position shapes everything in football, and these two fulfilled very different briefs. Cafu finishes with 53 career goals from 856 games — a 0.06 strike rate — against Ferenc Puskás's 598 from 621 at 0.96 per match. Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. Cafu departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002); Ferenc Puskás with 10, including 3× European Cup (1959, 1960, 1966). The right-back duties of Cafu leaned anticipatory; the forward responsibilities of Ferenc Puskás leaned explosive. Their routes to the top were distinct: Cafu built his reputation across São Paulo, Roma, Milan, peaking around 2002, while Ferenc Puskás reached his defining level around 1960 after spells with Budapest Honvéd, Real Madrid. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
161 words · comparison angle: role
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.”
Hungarian legend of the Magical Magyats and a Real Madrid galáctico; scorer of 84 goals in 85 games for Hungary.
“A barrel-chested left-footed finisher whose deadly striking powered Hungary's Golden Team.”
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 (1959, 1960, 1966)
- 5× La Liga
- 1× Olympic Gold Medal (1952)
- 1× Central European Cup (1953)
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
- 1943 Budapest Honvéd debut
- 1952 Olympic champion with Hungary
- 1953 Scored twice in the 6-3 win over England at Wembley
- 1956 Fled the Hungarian Revolution
- 1958 Joined Real Madrid
- 1960 Scored four goals in the European Cup final
- 1966 Retired from playing
The verdict
The numbers give Ferenc Puskás the lead — a narrow margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Ferenc Puskás edges it (a narrow margin)
