Cafu vs Nemanja Vidić: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Centre-Back, Serbia (born 1981, retired 2016)
Comparing Cafu with Nemanja Vidić means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Strikers are judged on goals, and on that raw currency both men delivered extraordinary returns. Across his senior career Cafu notched 53 goals in 856 appearances (0.06 per game), while Nemanja Vidić recorded 29 in 518 (0.06 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. In major honours Cafu collected 9 — headlined by 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002) — whereas Nemanja Vidić amassed 8, led by 5× Premier League (2007–2013). Where Cafu was a commanding presence in the box, Nemanja Vidić offered a uncompromising approach to goalscoring. Club journeys add another layer, with Cafu reaching his representative peak around 2002 across São Paulo, Roma, Milan and Nemanja Vidić doing so around 2009 with Red Star Belgrade, Spartak Moscow, Manchester United, Inter. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
169 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.”
Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Widely considered as one of the greatest defenders of all time, Vidić is best known for his time at Manchester United, where he won 15 trophies and served as club captain. He is one of only five players to win the Premier League Player of the Season award twice, alongside Thierry Henry, Kevin De Bruyne, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah.
“A fearless centre-back who dominated the air and treated every duel as a personal contest.”
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)
- 5× Premier League (2007–2013)
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
- 2001 Established himself at Red Star Belgrade
- 2005 Reached his defining peak
- 2009 Delivered a landmark season
- 2016 Retired from professional football
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Cafu takes the verdict — a clear margin, driven by remarkable longevity.
Cafu edges it (a clear margin)
