Kaká vs Carlos Tevez: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Brazil (born 1982, retired 2017) · Striker, Argentina (born 1984, retired 2021)
Set Kaká alongside Carlos Tevez and the numbers start an argument of their own. They belonged to different eras, which makes any direct comparison a test of imagination as much as statistics. On production alone, Kaká posted 237 goals across 594 appearances while Carlos Tevez managed 280 across 700. 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 Carlos Tevez with 90. Kaká departs the game with 6 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2002); Carlos Tevez with 5, including 1× Premier League (2012). Across the turn of the millennium and the modern era respectively, their creative and mercurial styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Kaká's landmark level arrived around 2007 with a career spanning São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Orlando City; Carlos Tevez's came around 2011 across Boca Juniors, Corinthians, West Ham United, Manchester United, Manchester City, Juventus, Boca Juniors, Shanghai Shenhua, Boca Juniors. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
190 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.”
A tenacious, street-smart Argentine striker known as 'El Apache', beloved for his relentless work rate and hunger for goals.
“A combative, low-centre-of-gravity forward who pressed relentlessly and thrived on scrappy, instinctive finishes.”
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× Premier League (2012)
- 2× Serie A (2014, 2015)
- 1× Copa Libertadores (2003)
- 1× Argentine Primera División (2003)
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 Boca Juniors
- 2012 Won Premier League with Manchester City
- 2003 Won Argentine Primera División with Boca Juniors
- 2011 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester City
- 2021 Retired after a final spell at Boca Juniors
- Finished his career with 280 goals in 700 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 280 goals in 700 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Kaká wins out by a clear margin on the weight of a stronger all-round attribute profile.
Kaká edges it (a clear margin)
