Kaká vs Rivelino: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Brazil (born 1982, retired 2017) · Left Midfielder, Brazil (born 1946, retired 1981)
Kaká versus Rivelino is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Era matters in any comparison, and these two peaked under very different footballing conditions. Kaká finishes with 237 career goals from 594 games — a 0.40 strike rate — against Rivelino's 238 from 624 at 0.38 per match. Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. The honours ledger favours Kaká with 6 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (2002)) against Rivelino's 8 (1× FIFA World Cup (1970)). Across the turn of the millennium and the 1970s respectively, their incisive and silky styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Club journeys add another layer, with Kaká reaching his representative peak around 2007 across São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Orlando City and Rivelino doing so around 1970 with Corinthians, Fluminense, Al-Hilal. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
161 words · comparison angle: era
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.”
Roberto Rivellino (born 1 January 1946), known mononymously as Rivellino, is a Brazilian football pundit and former player. He was a key member of Brazil’s 1970 FIFA World Cup-winning team and played as an attacking midfielder. He was renowned for his moustache, powerful long-range shooting, accurate passing, close control, dribbling and bending free kicks.
“A left-footed conductor famous for the elastico, fierce shooting and daring switches of play.”
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 (1970)
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
- 1962 Established himself at Corinthians
- 1966 Reached his defining peak
- 1970 Delivered a landmark season
- 1981 Retired from professional football
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Kaká takes it by a clear margin.
Kaká edges it (a clear margin)
