Cafu vs Bastian Schweinsteiger: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Central Midfielder, Germany (born 1984, retired 2019)
When Cafu and Bastian Schweinsteiger are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Greatness, in the end, is about who you inspired, and both left a footprint far beyond their own careers. Across his senior career Cafu notched 53 goals in 856 appearances (0.06 per game), while Bastian Schweinsteiger recorded 99 in 657 (0.15 per game). Assists were never formally recorded across most of their eras, so the playmaking dimension has to be judged on reputation and highlights rather than hard totals. Trophy counts give Cafu 9 and Bastian Schweinsteiger 18, with 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002) and 1× FIFA World Cup (2014) the standout honours respectively. Their legacies diverge in texture: Cafu is remembered as uncompromising, Bastian Schweinsteiger as incisive. The wider career context matters too: Cafu peaked around 2002 after representing São Paulo, Roma, Milan, while Bastian Schweinsteiger's defining level came around 2014 across Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Chicago Fire. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
170 words · comparison angle: legacy
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.”
German midfielder who won the 2014 World Cup and eight Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich.
“A converted winger turned midfield general whose tireless running and passing drove Bayern and Germany.”
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× FIFA World Cup (2014)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2013)
- 8× Bundesliga
- 7× DFB-Pokal
- 1× FA Cup (2016)
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
- 2002 Bayern Munich debut
- 2006 World Cup third-place on home soil
- 2010 Bayern Champions League final defeat in Madrid
- 2013 Won the treble under Jupp Heynckes
- 2014 World Cup winner, scored in the final bloodied
- 2015 Joined Manchester United
- 2017 Joined Chicago Fire in MLS
The verdict
The numbers give Bastian Schweinsteiger the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Bastian Schweinsteiger edges it (a decisive margin)
