Samuel Eto'o vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Striker, Cameroon (born 1981, retired 2019) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Samuel Eto'o and Teófilo Cubillas represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Where pure finishing is concerned, this is a shootout between two of the most feared marksmen of their time. By the end Samuel Eto'o had 371 goals from 768 caps and club outings; Teófilo Cubillas had 220 from 500. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Trophy counts give Samuel Eto'o 10 and Teófilo Cubillas 4, with 3× UEFA Champions League (2006, 2009, 2010) and 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978) the standout honours respectively. Their finishing mirrored their personalities: Samuel Eto'o clinical, Teófilo Cubillas silky. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Samuel Eto'o's landmark level arrived around 2009 with a career spanning Mallorca, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea, others; Teófilo Cubillas's came around 1978 across Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
176 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Cameroon legend and three-time Champions League winner (twice with Barcelona, once with Inter); Africa's most decorated player.
“A predatory, pacy striker with a venomous finish and the temperament for big finals.”
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× UEFA Champions League (2006, 2009, 2010)
- 3× La Liga (2005, 2006, 2009)
- 1× Serie A (2010)
- 2× Africa Cup of Nations (2000, 2002)
- 1× Olympic Gold Medal (2000)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1997 Real Madrid academy arrival followed by loan spells
- 2000 AFCON winner and Olympic gold with Cameroon
- 2000 Joined Mallorca
- 2006 Scored in the Champions League final
- 2009 Scored in the Champions League final again with Barcelona
- 2010 Joined Inter Milan and won the treble under Mourinho
- 2014 Joined Everton, later spells at Sampdoria and Antalyaspor
- 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, Samuel Eto'o takes it by a decisive margin.
Samuel Eto'o edges it (a decisive margin)
