Pelé vs Per Mertesacker: Stats Compared
Forward, Brazil (born 1940, retired 1977) · Centre-Back, Germany (born 1984, retired 2018)
Pelé and Per Mertesacker represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. Across his senior career Pelé notched 757 goals in 812 appearances (0.93 per game), while Per Mertesacker recorded 15 in 550 (0.03 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Pelé is listed at 0 and Per Mertesacker at 5 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Pelé 14 and Per Mertesacker 4, with 3× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962, 1970) and 1× FIFA World Cup (2014) the standout honours respectively. Pelé belonged to the 1970s, dominating with a flair-driven quality; Per Mertesacker rose in the modern era with a resolute edge. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Pelé's landmark level arrived around 1970 with a career spanning Santos, New York Cosmos; Per Mertesacker's came around 2014 across Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, Arsenal. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
181 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, Pelé is the only player to win three FIFA World Cups. FIFA recognises 757 official senior career goals (1,281 including friendlies).
“A two-footed, athletic forward who combined explosive pace, aerial ability and extraordinary vision.”
A towering, calm German centre-back nicknamed 'BFG' by Arsenal fans, Mertesacker started every match of Germany's triumphant 2014 World Cup campaign.
“A commanding, positionally intelligent centre-back whose reading of the game compensated for a lack of raw pace.”
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
- 3× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962, 1970)
- 2× Copa Libertadores (1962, 1963)
- 2× Intercontinental Cup (1962, 1963)
- 6× Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
- 1× NASL Soccer Bowl (1977)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2014)
- 3× FA Cup (2014, 2015, 2017)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1956 Professional debut for Santos aged 15
- 1958 Became youngest World Cup goalscorer at 17
- 1959 Top scorer in the Campeonato Brasileiro
- 1962 Won second World Cup despite injury in the final
- 1969 Scored his 1,000th career goal
- 1975 Came out of semi-retirement to join New York Cosmos
- 1977 Honoured at Pelé Day halftime show at Giants Stadium
- 2001 Professional debut for Hannover 96
- 2014 Won FIFA World Cup with Arsenal
- 2014 Won FA Cup with Arsenal
- 2014 Reached the peak of his powers at Arsenal
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Arsenal
- Finished his career with 15 goals in 550 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 15 goals in 550 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Pelé takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a sharper goalscoring record.
Pelé edges it (a decisive margin)
