Nilton Santos vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Left-Back, Brazil (born 1925, retired 1964) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
When Nilton Santos and Teófilo Cubillas are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. Career output puts Nilton Santos at 20 goals in 700 games, with Teófilo Cubillas at 220 in 500. Assists were never formally recorded across most of their eras, so the playmaking dimension has to be judged on reputation and highlights rather than hard totals. In major honours Nilton Santos collected 6 — headlined by 2× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962) — whereas Teófilo Cubillas amassed 4, led by 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978). Nilton Santos scored with a resolute that defined his era, while Teófilo Cubillas's finishing carried a silky all of its own. The wider career context matters too: Nilton Santos peaked around 1958 after representing Botafogo, while Teófilo Cubillas's defining level came around 1978 across Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
182 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Nicknamed 'The Encyclopedia of Football' for his tactical intelligence, Nilton Santos is widely credited as one of the pioneers of the modern attacking full-back role.
“An innovative, forward-thinking full-back whose overlapping runs helped redefine how the position was played.”
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
- 2× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962)
- 4× Campeonato Carioca (1948, 1957, 1961, 1962)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1948 Professional debut for Botafogo
- 1958 Won FIFA World Cup with Botafogo
- 1948 Won Campeonato Carioca with Botafogo
- 1958 Reached the peak of his powers at Botafogo
- 1964 Retired after a final spell at Botafogo
- Finished his career with 20 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 20 goals in 700 appearances and 6 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
On balance Nilton Santos edges the comparison. The margin is a clear margin, decided mostly by remarkable longevity.
Nilton Santos edges it (a clear margin)
