Dunga vs Paul Ince: Stats Compared
Defensive Midfielder, Brazil (born 1963, retired 1998) · Central Midfielder, England (born 1967, retired 2006)
When Dunga and Paul Ince are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Position shapes everything in football, and these two fulfilled very different briefs. Dunga finishes with 60 career goals from 687 games — a 0.09 strike rate — against Paul Ince's 90 from 650 at 0.14 per match. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Dunga is listed at 0 and Paul Ince at 60 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Dunga 8 and Paul Ince 4, with 1× FIFA World Cup (1994) and 2× Premier League (1993, 1994) the standout honours respectively. As a defensive midfielder Dunga bent the role to a dictatorial template; as a central midfielder, Paul Ince redefined it with incisive authority. Their routes to the top were distinct: Dunga built his reputation across Vasco da Gama, Fiorentina, Stuttgart, Júbilo Iwata, peaking around 1994, while Paul Ince reached his defining level around 1994 after spells with West Ham United, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Swindon Town. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
189 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri (born 31 October 1963), commonly known as Dunga, is a Brazilian football manager and former professional player. Considered one of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time, as a player, he was known for his technique, athleticism, passing range, solid tackles and first touch. Under the captaincy Dunga took from Raí, Brazil won the 1994 FIFA World Cup and became runners-up of the following edition.
“A disciplined captain whose tackling, structure and fierce standards gave Brazil balance.”
The first Black player to captain England, Ince was a combative, driving midfielder at the heart of Manchester United's early Premier League dominance.
“An aggressive, all-action midfielder whose tackling and late runs into the box made him a formidable box-to-box presence.”
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× FIFA World Cup (1994)
- 2× Premier League (1993, 1994)
- 2× FA Cup (1990, 1994)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1986 Established himself at Vasco da Gama
- 1990 Reached his defining peak
- 1994 Delivered a landmark season
- 1998 Retired from professional football
- 1986 Professional debut for West Ham United
- 1993 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 1990 Won FA Cup with Manchester United
- 1994 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Swindon Town
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Dunga edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Dunga edges it (a decisive margin)
