Raymond Kopa vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Forward, France (born 1931, retired 1967) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Raymond Kopa against Teófilo Cubillas is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Different decades shaped different demands, and both adapted to theirs brilliantly. The raw numbers read 150 goals in 450 outings for Raymond Kopa (0.33/game), versus 220 in 500 for Teófilo Cubillas (0.44/game). 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 Raymond Kopa with 5 major trophies (3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)) against Teófilo Cubillas's 4 (4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)). Raymond Kopa belonged to the post-war golden age, dominating with a mercurial quality; Teófilo Cubillas rose in the 1970s with a silky edge. Their routes to the top were distinct: Raymond Kopa built his reputation across Angers, Reims, Real Madrid, Reims, peaking around 1958, while Teófilo Cubillas reached his defining level around 1978 after spells with Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
182 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
France's first football superstar and 1958 Ballon d'Or winner, Kopa won three straight European Cups alongside Di Stéfano at Real Madrid before returning to lead Reims.
“A diminutive, dazzling dribbler and creator whose vision and close control made him the conductor of every attack he played in.”
Peru's greatest ever player, Cubillas remains the only man to score five goals across two separate World Cups, inspiring Peru's celebrated 1978 side.
“A quick, two-footed attacking midfielder renowned for a ferocious long-range shot and clever dribbling in tight spaces.”
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
- 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)
- 2× Ligue 1 (1953, 1960)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1949 Professional debut for Angers
- 1957 Won European Cup with Real Madrid
- 1953 Won Ligue 1 with Reims
- 1958 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 1967 Retired after a final spell at Reims
- Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
- 1966 Professional debut for Alianza Lima
- 1967 Won Peruvian Primera División with Alianza Lima
- 1978 Reached the peak of his powers at Alianza Lima
- 1989 Retired after a final spell at Alianza Lima
- Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Teófilo Cubillas edges the comparison. The margin is a clear margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Teófilo Cubillas edges it (a clear margin)
