Edgar Davids vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Defensive Midfielder, Netherlands (born 1973, retired 2011) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Edgar Davids and Teófilo Cubillas represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Position shapes everything in football, and these two fulfilled very different briefs. Career output puts Edgar Davids at 45 goals in 600 games, with Teófilo Cubillas at 220 in 500. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Edgar Davids is credited with 40 and Teófilo Cubillas with 0. In major honours Edgar Davids collected 4 — headlined by 1× UEFA Champions League (1995) — whereas Teófilo Cubillas amassed 4, led by 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978). As a defensive midfielder Edgar Davids bent the role to a silky template; as a attacking midfielder, Teófilo Cubillas redefined it with silky authority. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Edgar Davids's landmark level arrived around 2000 with a career spanning Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Internazionale, Tottenham Hotspur, Ajax, Crystal Palace; Teófilo Cubillas's came around 1978 across Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
198 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
Nicknamed 'The Pitbull' for his relentless tackling, Davids wore his trademark wraparound goggles and was one of the most feared ball-winners in Europe during Juventus's late-1990s dominance.
“An aggressive, tireless ball-winner whose combativeness and surprising technical quality made him a complete midfield destroyer.”
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
- 1× UEFA Champions League (1995)
- 3× Serie A (1998, 2002, 2003)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1991 Professional debut for Ajax
- 1995 Won UEFA Champions League with Ajax
- 1998 Won Serie A with Juventus
- 2000 Reached the peak of his powers at Juventus
- 2011 Retired after a final spell at Crystal Palace
- Finished his career with 45 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 45 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours.
- 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
The numbers give Edgar Davids the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of superior creative output.
Edgar Davids edges it (a clear margin)
