Jairzinho vs Paul Ince: Stats Compared
Right Winger, Brazil (born 1944, retired 1982) · Central Midfielder, England (born 1967, retired 2006)
When Jairzinho and Paul Ince are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. It is in how they played, rather than what they won, that the comparison gets interesting. Jairzinho finishes with 350 career goals from 650 games — a 0.54 strike rate — against Paul Ince's 90 from 650 at 0.14 per match. Creativity tells a story too: 60 assists for Jairzinho against 60 for Paul Ince. In major honours Jairzinho collected 5 — headlined by 2× FIFA World Cup (1962, 1970) — whereas Paul Ince amassed 4, led by 2× Premier League (1993, 1994). Jairzinho played with a ruthless that made him unmistakable; Paul Ince brought a incisive that was equally his own. Their routes to the top were distinct: Jairzinho built his reputation across Botafogo, Marseille, Cruzeiro, Portuguesa, Noroeste, peaking around 1970, 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.
174 words · comparison angle: style
Player profiles
The only man to score in every match of a World Cup-winning campaign (1970), Jairzinho was the explosive right winger of Brazil's most celebrated side.
“A powerful, direct winger who combined electric pace with a thunderous shot, terrorising full-backs down the right flank.”
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
- 2× FIFA World Cup (1962, 1970)
- 3× Campeonato Carioca (1962, 1967, 1968)
- 2× Premier League (1993, 1994)
- 2× FA Cup (1990, 1994)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1959 Professional debut for Botafogo
- 1962 Won FIFA World Cup with Botafogo
- 1962 Won Campeonato Carioca with Botafogo
- 1970 Reached the peak of his powers at Botafogo
- 1982 Retired after a final spell at Noroeste
- Finished his career with 350 goals in 650 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 350 goals in 650 appearances and 5 major honours.
- 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
The numbers give Jairzinho the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Jairzinho edges it (a clear margin)
