Diego Maradona vs Hidetoshi Nakata: Stats Compared
Forward / Playmaker, Argentina (born 1960, retired 1997) · Attacking Midfielder, Japan (born 1977, retired 2006)
The Diego Maradona–Hidetoshi Nakata comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Legacy is the only real measure that outlives the numbers, and both have staked towering claims. Career output puts Diego Maradona at 293 goals in 582 games, with Hidetoshi Nakata at 60 in 400. 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 Hidetoshi Nakata with 60. In major honours Diego Maradona collected 6 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (1986) — whereas Hidetoshi Nakata amassed 1, led by 1× Serie A (2001). Their legacies diverge in texture: Diego Maradona is remembered as explosive, Hidetoshi Nakata as incisive. 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 Hidetoshi Nakata reached his defining level around 2001 after spells with Bellmare Hiratsuka, Perugia, Roma, Parma, Bologna, Fiorentina, Bolton Wanderers. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
181 words · comparison angle: legacy
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.”
The first Japanese footballer to become a global superstar, Nakata's move to Serie A in 1998 opened the door for a generation of Japanese players in Europe.
“A composed, technically excellent attacking midfielder blessed with an outstanding range of passing and shooting from distance.”
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× Serie A (2001)
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
- 1995 Professional debut for Bellmare Hiratsuka
- 2001 Won Serie A with Roma
- 2001 Reached the peak of his powers at Roma
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Bolton Wanderers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 400 appearances and 1 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 400 appearances and 1 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Diego Maradona takes it by a decisive margin.
Diego Maradona edges it (a decisive margin)
