Eusébio vs Hidetoshi Nakata: Stats Compared
Striker, Portugal (born 1942, retired 1978) · Attacking Midfielder, Japan (born 1977, retired 2006)
Line up Eusébio next to Hidetoshi Nakata and the contrasts come quickly. Era matters in any comparison, and these two peaked under very different footballing conditions. Across his senior career Eusébio notched 623 goals in 715 appearances (0.87 per game), while Hidetoshi Nakata recorded 60 in 400 (0.15 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Eusébio is listed at 0 and Hidetoshi Nakata at 60 where figures survive. Eusébio departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× European Cup (1962); Hidetoshi Nakata with 1, including 1× Serie A (2001). Eusébio belonged to the post-war golden age, dominating with a flair-driven quality; Hidetoshi Nakata rose in the turn of the millennium with a incisive edge. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Eusébio's landmark level arrived around 1965 with a career spanning Benfica, Montréal Manic; Hidetoshi Nakata's came around 2001 across Bellmare Hiratsuka, Perugia, Roma, Parma, Bologna, Fiorentina, Bolton Wanderers. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
177 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Eusébio da Silva Ferreira (25 January 1942 – 5 January 2014), nicknamed the "Black Panther", the "Black Pearl" and "o Rei" ("the King"), was a Portuguese footballer who played as a striker. He is considered one of the greatest players of all time and Benfica’s greatest player. Known for his speed, technique, athleticism and right-footed shot, he became one of football’s most prolific goalscorers.
“A powerful, explosive striker who combined pace, technique and a thunderous shot.”
The first Japanese footballer to become a global superstar, Nakata's move to Serie A in 1998 opened the door for a generation of Japanese players in Europe.
“A composed, technically excellent attacking midfielder blessed with an outstanding range of passing and shooting from distance.”
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× European Cup (1962)
- 1× Serie A (2001)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1957 Established himself at Benfica
- 1961 Reached his defining peak
- 1965 Delivered a landmark season
- 1978 Retired from professional football
- 1995 Professional debut for Bellmare Hiratsuka
- 2001 Won Serie A with Roma
- 2001 Reached the peak of his powers at Roma
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Bolton Wanderers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 400 appearances and 1 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 400 appearances and 1 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Eusébio edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Eusébio edges it (a decisive margin)
