Cafu vs Teddy Sheringham: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Striker, England (born 1966, retired 2008)
There is something timeless about weighing Cafu against Teddy Sheringham. It is in how they played, rather than what they won, that the comparison gets interesting. On production alone, Cafu posted 53 goals across 856 appearances while Teddy Sheringham managed 320 across 900. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Cafu is listed at 0 and Teddy Sheringham at 130 where figures survive. Cafu departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002); Teddy Sheringham with 4, including 1× UEFA Champions League (1999). Cafu played with a elegant that made him unmistakable; Teddy Sheringham brought a flair-driven that was equally his own. The wider career context matters too: Cafu peaked around 2002 after representing São Paulo, Roma, Milan, while Teddy Sheringham's defining level came around 1999 across Millwall, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, West Ham United, Colchester United. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
172 words · comparison angle: style
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 cerebral, late-developing striker, Sheringham scored the injury-time equaliser in Manchester United's 1999 Champions League final and remains the Premier League's oldest ever goalscorer.
“An intelligent, deep-dropping forward whose clever hold-up play and vision created space for quicker strike partners.”
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 Champions League (1999)
- 2× Premier League (1999, 2000)
- 1× FA Cup (1999)
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
- 1984 Professional debut for Millwall
- 1999 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 1999 Won FA Cup with Manchester United
- 1999 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2008 Retired after a final spell at Colchester United
- Finished his career with 320 goals in 900 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 320 goals in 900 appearances and 4 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)
