Cafu vs Patrick Vieira: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Central Midfielder, France (born 1976, retired 2011)
There is something timeless about weighing Cafu against Patrick Vieira. Legacy is the only real measure that outlives the numbers, and both have staked towering claims. On production alone, Cafu posted 53 goals across 856 appearances while Patrick Vieira managed 68 across 737. Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. Trophy counts give Cafu 9 and Patrick Vieira 15, with 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002) and 1× FIFA World Cup (1998) the standout honours respectively. Their legacies diverge in texture: Cafu is remembered as anticipatory, Patrick Vieira as dictatorial. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Cafu's landmark level arrived around 2002 with a career spanning São Paulo, Roma, Milan; Patrick Vieira's came around 2004 across Cannes, AC Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milan, Manchester City. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
153 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.”
Arsenal captain who led the Invincibles to the 2003-04 Premier League title; World Cup and Euro winner with France.
“A towering, leggy box-to-box enforcer who combined physicality with technical security in midfield.”
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 (1998)
- 1× UEFA European Championship (2000)
- 2× FIFA Confederations Cup (2001, 2003)
- 3× Premier League (1998, 2002, 2004)
- 4× Serie A (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
- 4× FA Cup (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005)
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
- 1994 Cannes debut
- 1996 Joined AC Milan for limited game time
- 1996 Signed for Arsenal
- 1998 World Cup winner with France
- 2001 Succeeded Tony Adams as Arsenal captain
- 2005 Left Arsenal for Juventus
- 2011 Retired at Manchester City
The verdict
On balance Patrick Vieira edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Patrick Vieira edges it (a decisive margin)
