Luka Modrić vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Croatia (born 1985, retired 2024) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
There is something timeless about weighing Luka Modrić against Teófilo Cubillas. Trophies, more than goals, are how most supporters ultimately remember a career. Luka Modrić finishes with 90 career goals from 900 games — a 0.10 strike rate — against Teófilo Cubillas's 220 from 500 at 0.44 per match. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Luka Modrić is credited with 150 and Teófilo Cubillas with 0. Trophy counts give Luka Modrić 9 and Teófilo Cubillas 4, with 6× UEFA Champions League (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024) and 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978) the standout honours respectively. Luka Modrić built his medal haul through years of dictatorial consistency, while Teófilo Cubillas won his with incisive bursts of brilliance. Their routes to the top were distinct: Luka Modrić built his reputation across Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, peaking around 2018, 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. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
195 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner who ended a decade of Messi-Ronaldo dominance, Modrić was the metronomic heartbeat of Real Madrid's record-extending Champions League dynasty and led Croatia to the World Cup final.
“A supremely elegant, tireless playmaker whose close control and range of passing let him control games from deep or advanced positions alike.”
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
- 6× UEFA Champions League (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024)
- 3× La Liga (2017, 2020, 2022)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2003 Professional debut for Dinamo Zagreb
- 2014 Won UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid
- 2017 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 2018 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2024 Retired after a final spell at Real Madrid
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 900 appearances and 9 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 900 appearances and 9 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
Weighing production against honours, Luka Modrić takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Luka Modrić edges it (a decisive margin)
