Kaká vs Daniele De Rossi: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Brazil (born 1982, retired 2017) · Central Midfielder, Italy (born 1983, retired 2019)
When Kaká and Daniele De Rossi are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. They occupied different roles, which makes a like-for-like verdict a careful exercise. By the end Kaká had 237 goals from 594 caps and club outings; Daniele De Rossi had 65 from 700. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Kaká is listed at 0 and Daniele De Rossi at 60 where figures survive. Kaká departs the game with 6 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2002); Daniele De Rossi with 3, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2006). The attacking midfielder duties of Kaká leaned orchestrating; the central midfielder responsibilities of Daniele De Rossi leaned creative. The wider career context matters too: Kaká peaked around 2007 after representing São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Orlando City, while Daniele De Rossi's defining level came around 2013 across Roma. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
165 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 one-club legend and 2006 World Cup winner, De Rossi embodied Roma's midfield for nearly two decades, combining ferocious tackling with a superb range of passing.
“A commanding, technically excellent deep-lying midfielder who mixed hard tackling with elegant long-range distribution.”
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)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2006)
- 2× Coppa Italia (2007, 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
- 2001 Professional debut for Roma
- 2006 Won FIFA World Cup with Roma
- 2007 Won Coppa Italia with Roma
- 2013 Reached the peak of his powers at Roma
- 2019 Retired after a final spell at Roma
- Finished his career with 65 goals in 700 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 65 goals in 700 appearances and 3 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Kaká takes it by a clear margin.
Kaká edges it (a clear margin)
