Deco vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Portugal (born 1977, retired 2013) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Few debates split football fans quite like Deco versus Teófilo Cubillas. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. On production alone, Deco posted 90 goals across 550 appearances while Teófilo Cubillas managed 220 across 500. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Deco is listed at 100 and Teófilo Cubillas at 0 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Deco 5 and Teófilo Cubillas 4, with 2× UEFA Champions League (2004, 2006) and 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978) the standout honours respectively. As a attacking midfielder Deco bent the role to a intelligent template; as a attacking midfielder, Teófilo Cubillas redefined it with intelligent authority. Club journeys add another layer, with Deco reaching his representative peak around 2004 across Nacional, Porto, Barcelona, Chelsea, Fluminense and Teófilo Cubillas doing so around 1978 with Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
177 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
A Brazilian-born playmaker who became a Portugal icon, Deco won the UEFA Cup and Champions League with Porto before repeating the European triumph at Barcelona two years later.
“A quick-thinking, tenacious playmaker who combined physical durability with excellent vision and set-piece delivery.”
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
- 2× UEFA Champions League (2004, 2006)
- 1× UEFA Cup (2003)
- 2× La Liga (2005, 2006)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1997 Professional debut for Nacional
- 2004 Won UEFA Champions League with Porto
- 2005 Won La Liga with Barcelona
- 2004 Reached the peak of his powers at Porto
- 2013 Retired after a final spell at Fluminense
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 550 appearances and 5 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
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Deco takes it by a narrow margin.
Deco edges it (a narrow margin)
