Hidetoshi Nakata vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Japan (born 1977, retired 2006) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Ask any fan to rank Hidetoshi Nakata above or below Teófilo Cubillas and you will get a passionate answer. Legacy is the only real measure that outlives the numbers, and both have staked towering claims. By the end Hidetoshi Nakata had 60 goals from 400 caps and club outings; Teófilo Cubillas had 220 from 500. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Hidetoshi Nakata is listed at 60 and Teófilo Cubillas at 0 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Hidetoshi Nakata 1 and Teófilo Cubillas 4, with 1× Serie A (2001) and 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978) the standout honours respectively. History will file Hidetoshi Nakata under orchestrating greatness and Teófilo Cubillas under silky greatness — different shelves, same temple. The wider career context matters too: Hidetoshi Nakata peaked around 2001 after representing Bellmare Hiratsuka, Perugia, Roma, Parma, Bologna, Fiorentina, Bolton Wanderers, while Teófilo Cubillas's defining level came around 1978 across Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
189 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
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.”
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
- 1× Serie A (2001)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 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.
- 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, Teófilo Cubillas takes the verdict — a clear margin, driven by a sharper goalscoring record.
Teófilo Cubillas edges it (a clear margin)
