Diego Maradona vs Paul Gascoigne: Stats Compared
Forward / Playmaker, Argentina (born 1960, retired 1997) · Attacking Midfielder, England (born 1967, retired 2004)
Line up Diego Maradona next to Paul Gascoigne and the contrasts come quickly. Honours are what separate great players from trophy-laden legends, and both qualify. The raw numbers read 293 goals in 582 outings for Diego Maradona (0.50/game), versus 130 in 620 for Paul Gascoigne (0.21/game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Diego Maradona is credited with 0 and Paul Gascoigne with 90. Diego Maradona departs the game with 6 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1986); Paul Gascoigne with 6, including 1× FA Cup (1991). One lifted trophies through flair-driven reliability, the other through orchestrating moments that decided finals. Their routes to the top were distinct: Diego Maradona built his reputation across Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Newell's Old Boys, peaking around 1986, while Paul Gascoigne reached his defining level around 1990 after spells with Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Everton, Burnley, Boston United. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
183 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Argentine legend who almost single-handedly led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup and transformed Napoli into Italian and European contenders.
“A low-centre-of-gravity left-footed genius whose dribbling and playmaking carried teams single-handedly.”
A supremely gifted but troubled English playmaker, Gascoigne's tears and brilliance at Italia '90 made him a national icon before injuries and off-field struggles curtailed his career.
“A powerful, technically brilliant attacking midfielder who combined trickery and physical strength with moments of match-winning genius.”
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 (1986)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1989)
- 2× Serie A (1987, 1990)
- 1× Copa Italia (1987)
- 1× Argentine Primera División (1981)
- 1× FA Cup (1991)
- 3× Scottish Premier Division (1996, 1997, 1999)
- 2× Scottish League Cup (1997, 1999)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1976 Argentinos Juniors debut ten days before his 16th birthday
- 1981 Joined Boca Juniors and won the Argentine league
- 1982 World-record transfer to Barcelona
- 1984 Signed for Napoli for another world-record fee
- 1987 Led Napoli to their first ever Serie A title
- 1990 Captained Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final
- 1997 Played his final professional matches at Boca Juniors
- 1985 Professional debut for Newcastle United
- 1991 Won FA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur
- 1997 Won Scottish League Cup with Rangers
- 1990 Reached the peak of his powers at Tottenham Hotspur
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Boston United
- Finished his career with 130 goals in 620 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 130 goals in 620 appearances and 6 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Diego Maradona takes the verdict — a clear margin, driven by a sharper goalscoring record.
Diego Maradona edges it (a clear margin)
