Garrincha vs Park Ji-sung: Stats Compared
Right Winger, Brazil (born 1933, retired 1972) · Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014)
Garrincha against Park Ji-sung is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. It is in how they played, rather than what they won, that the comparison gets interesting. By the end Garrincha had 245 goals from 612 caps and club outings; Park Ji-sung had 60 from 550. 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 Park Ji-sung with 60. Garrincha departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 2× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962); Park Ji-sung with 5, including 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011). Garrincha played with a mercurial that made him unmistakable; Park Ji-sung brought a intelligent that was equally his own. Their routes to the top were distinct: Garrincha built his reputation across Botafogo, Corinthians, Flamengo, peaking around 1962, while Park Ji-sung reached his defining level around 2008 after spells with Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
185 words · comparison angle: style
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.”
The first Asian player to win the Champions League and reach a World Cup semi-final, Park was renowned for his tireless work rate and big-game performances for Manchester United.
“A relentless, selfless box-to-box midfielder whose stamina and tactical discipline made him invaluable in the biggest matches.”
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)
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1954 Established himself at Botafogo
- 1958 Reached his defining peak
- 1962 Delivered a landmark season
- 1972 Retired from professional football
- 2000 Professional debut for Kyoto Purple Sanga
- 2007 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 2008 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 2008 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Queens Park Rangers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Garrincha is the choice: a clear margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Garrincha edges it (a clear margin)
