Kaká vs Elías Figueroa: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Brazil (born 1982, retired 2017) · Centre-Back, Chile (born 1946, retired 1982)
Ask any fan to rank Kaká above or below Elías Figueroa and you will get a passionate answer. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. Career output puts Kaká at 237 goals in 594 games, with Elías Figueroa at 40 in 600. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Trophy counts give Kaká 6 and Elías Figueroa 5, with 1× FIFA World Cup (2002) and 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968) the standout honours respectively. As a attacking midfielder Kaká bent the role to a silky template; as a centre-back, Elías Figueroa redefined it with anticipatory authority. Their routes to the top were distinct: Kaká built his reputation across São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Orlando City, peaking around 2007, while Elías Figueroa reached his defining level around 1974 after spells with Santiago Wanderers, Peñarol, Internacional, Palestino, Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
178 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 three-time South American Footballer of the Year, Figueroa is widely considered the finest defender the continent has produced, marshalling Internacional's dominant 1970s side.
“An imperious, elegant centre-back who combined aerial dominance with composed distribution well ahead of his era.”
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× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968)
- 3× Campeonato Gaúcho (1973, 1974, 1975)
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
- 1965 Professional debut for Santiago Wanderers
- 1967 Won Uruguayan Primera División with Peñarol
- 1973 Won Campeonato Gaúcho with Internacional
- 1974 Reached the peak of his powers at Internacional
- 1982 Retired after a final spell at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Kaká is the choice: a decisive margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Kaká edges it (a decisive margin)
