Kaká vs Sol Campbell: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Brazil (born 1982, retired 2017) · Centre-Back, England (born 1974, retired 2011)
The Kaká–Sol Campbell comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Their jobs on the pitch were not the same, yet both redefined what their role could be. The raw numbers read 237 goals in 594 outings for Kaká (0.40/game), versus 20 in 650 for Sol Campbell (0.03/game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Kaká is credited with 0 and Sol Campbell with 5. In major honours Kaká collected 6 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (2002) — whereas Sol Campbell amassed 5, led by 2× Premier League (2002, 2004). The attacking midfielder duties of Kaká leaned silky; the centre-back responsibilities of Sol Campbell leaned commanding. Their routes to the top were distinct: Kaká built his reputation across São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Orlando City, peaking around 2007, while Sol Campbell reached his defining level around 2004 after spells with Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Notts County, Newcastle United, Arsenal. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
183 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
Brazilian attacking midfielder and 2007 Ballon d'Or winner; Champions League winner with AC Milan in 2007.
“A tall, graceful attacking midfielder who glided past defenders and finished with precision.”
A commanding, athletic centre-back, Campbell was central to Arsenal's unbeaten 'Invincibles' 2003-04 title after a controversial free transfer from rivals Tottenham.
“A physically dominant, athletic centre-back whose pace and strength let him play an unusually high defensive line.”
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× FIFA World Cup (2002)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2007)
- 2× FIFA Confederations Cup (2005, 2009)
- 1× Serie A (2004)
- 1× La Liga (2012)
- 2× Premier League (2002, 2004)
- 3× FA Cup (2001, 2003, 2008)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2001 São Paulo breakthrough
- 2002 World Cup winner (limited role)
- 2003 Signed for AC Milan
- 2005 Lost the Champions League final in Istanbul
- 2007 Champions League winner and Ballon d'Or winner
- 2009 Record transfer to Real Madrid
- 2017 Retired at Orlando City
- 1992 Professional debut for Tottenham Hotspur
- 2002 Won Premier League with Arsenal
- 2001 Won FA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur
- 2004 Reached the peak of his powers at Arsenal
- 2011 Retired after a final spell at Arsenal
- Finished his career with 20 goals in 650 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 20 goals in 650 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Kaká the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Kaká edges it (a clear margin)
