Garrincha vs Predrag Mijatović: Stats Compared
Right Winger, Brazil (born 1933, retired 1972) · Striker, Yugoslavia (born 1969, retired 2004)
Put Garrincha and Predrag Mijatović side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. Legacy is the only real measure that outlives the numbers, and both have staked towering claims. Garrincha finishes with 245 career goals from 612 games — a 0.40 strike rate — against Predrag Mijatović's 210 from 500 at 0.42 per match. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Garrincha is credited with 0 and Predrag Mijatović with 30. The honours ledger favours Garrincha with 9 major trophies (2× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962)) against Predrag Mijatović's 2 (1× UEFA Champions League (1998)). History will file Garrincha under explosive greatness and Predrag Mijatović under mercurial greatness — different shelves, same temple. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Garrincha's landmark level arrived around 1962 with a career spanning Botafogo, Corinthians, Flamengo; Predrag Mijatović's came around 1998 across Budućnost Podgorica, Partizan, Valencia CF, Real Madrid, Fiorentina, Levante. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
179 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
Manuel Francisco dos Santos (28 October 1933 – 20 January 1983), nicknamed Mané Garrincha, best known as simply Garrincha, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a right winger. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and by many, one of the greatest dribblers ever. Garrincha played a vital role in Brazil's 1958 and 1962 World Cup victories.
“A joyful dribbler whose balance and feints made the right flank his personal stage.”
Mijatović's decisive winning goal in the 1998 Champions League final ended Real Madrid's 32-year wait for the European Cup and remains one of the club's most iconic moments.
“A clever, mobile striker whose intelligent runs in behind and composed finishing produced goals in the biggest moments.”
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× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (1998)
- 1× La Liga (1997)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1954 Established himself at Botafogo
- 1958 Reached his defining peak
- 1962 Delivered a landmark season
- 1972 Retired from professional football
- 1986 Professional debut for Budućnost Podgorica
- 1998 Won UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid
- 1997 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Levante
- Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Garrincha the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a weightier trophy cabinet.
Garrincha edges it (a decisive margin)
