Pavel Nedvěd vs Elías Figueroa: Stats Compared
Midfielder, Czech Republic (born 1972, retired 2009) · Centre-Back, Chile (born 1946, retired 1982)
Pavel Nedvěd against Elías Figueroa is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. Pavel Nedvěd finishes with 156 career goals from 711 games — a 0.22 strike rate — against Elías Figueroa's 40 from 600 at 0.07 per match. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Pavel Nedvěd departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1999); Elías Figueroa with 5, including 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968). Pavel Nedvěd belonged to the turn of the millennium, dominating with a dictatorial quality; Elías Figueroa rose in the 1970s with a rugged edge. Club journeys add another layer, with Pavel Nedvěd reaching his representative peak around 2003 across Dukla Prague, Sparta Prague, Lazio, Juventus and Elías Figueroa doing so around 1974 with Santiago Wanderers, Peñarol, Internacional, Palestino, Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
184 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Czech midfielder and 2003 Ballon d'Or winner; Serie A champion with Lazio and Juventus.
“A tireless attacking midfielder with explosive shooting from distance and endless running.”
A three-time South American Footballer of the Year, Figueroa is widely considered the finest defender the continent has produced, marshalling Internacional's dominant 1970s side.
“An imperious, elegant centre-back who combined aerial dominance with composed distribution well ahead of his era.”
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× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1999)
- 1× UEFA Super Cup (1999)
- 3× Serie A (2000, 2002, 2003)
- 2× Coppa Italia (1998, 2000)
- 2× Supercoppa Italiana (2002, 2003)
- 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968)
- 3× Campeonato Gaúcho (1973, 1974, 1975)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1991 Dukla Prague debut
- 1996 Joined Lazio
- 1999 Won the Cup Winners' Cup with Lazio
- 2001 Joined Juventus as Zidane's replacement
- 2003 Ballon d'Or winner, reached the Champions League final
- 2005 Stayed at Juventus in Serie B after Calciopoli
- 2009 Retired at Juventus
- 1965 Professional debut for Santiago Wanderers
- 1967 Won Uruguayan Primera División with Peñarol
- 1973 Won Campeonato Gaúcho with Internacional
- 1974 Reached the peak of his powers at Internacional
- 1982 Retired after a final spell at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Pavel Nedvěd edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Pavel Nedvěd edges it (a decisive margin)
