Hernán Crespo vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Striker, Argentina (born 1975, retired 2012) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
The Hernán Crespo–Teófilo Cubillas comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Silverware is the currency of legacy, and both players filled cabinets that few can rival. The raw numbers read 248 goals in 567 outings for Hernán Crespo (0.44/game), versus 220 in 500 for Teófilo Cubillas (0.44/game). Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. The honours ledger favours Hernán Crespo with 7 major trophies (3× Serie A (2006, 2007, 2008)) against Teófilo Cubillas's 4 (4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)). One lifted trophies through predatory reliability, the other through orchestrating moments that decided finals. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Hernán Crespo's landmark level arrived around 2000 with a career spanning River Plate, Parma, Lazio, Inter Milan, Chelsea, AC Milan, Genoa; Teófilo Cubillas's came around 1978 across Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
173 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Argentine striker and one of the most expensive players of his era; Serie A winner with Inter Milan.
“A predatory finisher with sharp movement and clinical anticipation inside the box.”
Peru's greatest ever player, Cubillas remains the only man to score five goals across two separate World Cups, inspiring Peru's celebrated 1978 side.
“A quick, two-footed attacking midfielder renowned for a ferocious long-range shot and clever dribbling in tight spaces.”
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
- 3× Serie A (2006, 2007, 2008)
- 1× Premier League (2005)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1999)
- 1× Coppa Italia (1999)
- 1× Supercoppa Italiana (1999)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1993 River Plate debut
- 1996 Olympic silver medal with Argentina
- 1996 Joined Parma for a record fee
- 2000 Joined Lazio for a world-record striker fee
- 2003 Joined Chelsea for £16.8m
- 2004 Loan to AC Milan, scored in the Champions League final
- 2012 Retired at Parma
- 1966 Professional debut for Alianza Lima
- 1967 Won Peruvian Primera División with Alianza Lima
- 1978 Reached the peak of his powers at Alianza Lima
- 1989 Retired after a final spell at Alianza Lima
- Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Hernán Crespo is the choice: a clear margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
Hernán Crespo edges it (a clear margin)
