José Luis Chilavert vs Miroslav Klose: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Paraguay (born 1965, retired 2004) · Striker, Germany (born 1978, retired 2016)
José Luis Chilavert versus Miroslav Klose is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Strikers are judged on goals, and on that raw currency both men delivered extraordinary returns. José Luis Chilavert finishes with 67 career goals from 737 games — a 0.09 strike rate — against Miroslav Klose's 318 from 705 at 0.45 per match. 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. José Luis Chilavert departs the game with 8 major pieces of silverware, including 1× Copa Libertadores (1994); Miroslav Klose with 7, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2014). José Luis Chilavert scored with a brave that defined his era, while Miroslav Klose's finishing carried a predatory all of its own. Club journeys add another layer, with José Luis Chilavert reaching his representative peak around 1994 across San Lorenzo, Real Zaragoza, Vélez Sarsfield, Strasbourg and Miroslav Klose doing so around 2014 with Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, Lazio. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
178 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
José Luis Félix Chilavert González is a Paraguayan former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Sportivo Luqueño, Guaraní, San Lorenzo de Almagro, Real Zaragoza, Vélez Sarsfield, RC Strasbourg, Peñarol and the Paraguay national team. Chilavert won 12 club titles, including the 1994 Copa Libertadores and the 1994 Intercontinental Cup, while playing for Vélez Sarsfield, and is a three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award winner. A fast and agile shot-stopper, known for his leadership, strong personality, and goalkeeping ability, he was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world in his prime; outside of his goalkeeping position, Chilavert was also known for his outfield skills and ability as a free kick specialist, and often took penalties.
“A commanding goalkeeper and set-piece specialist who made scoring from distance part of his job.”
All-time FIFA World Cup top scorer with 16 goals; Germany's all-time leading goalscorer with 71 international goals.
“A selfless striker and aerial specialist whose consistency made him a World Cup great.”
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
- 1× Copa Libertadores (1994)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2014)
- 2× Bundesliga (2008, 2010)
- 3× DFB-Pokal (2005, 2008, 2010)
- 1× Coppa Italia (2013)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1986 Established himself at San Lorenzo
- 1990 Reached his defining peak
- 1994 Delivered a landmark season
- 2004 Retired from professional football
- 2000 Kaiserslautern debut
- 2002 World Cup debut, scored five headed goals
- 2007 Joined Bayern Munich
- 2011 Joined Lazio, won over fans with relentless work rate
- 2014 World Cup winner, became the all-time World Cup top scorer (16 goals)
- 2016 Retired at Lazio
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Miroslav Klose takes it by a clear margin.
Miroslav Klose edges it (a clear margin)
