Pelé vs Park Ji-sung: Stats Compared
Forward, Brazil (born 1940, retired 1977) · Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014)
Line up Pelé next to Park Ji-sung and the contrasts come quickly. 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 Park Ji-sung recorded 60 in 550 (0.11 per game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Pelé is credited with 0 and Park Ji-sung with 60. In major honours Pelé collected 14 — headlined by 3× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962, 1970) — whereas Park Ji-sung amassed 5, led by 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011). Across the 1970s and the turn of the millennium respectively, their ruthless and orchestrating styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. The wider career context matters too: Pelé peaked around 1970 after representing Santos, New York Cosmos, while Park Ji-sung's defining level came around 2008 across Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
187 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.”
The first Asian player to win the Champions League and reach a World Cup semi-final, Park was renowned for his tireless work rate and big-game performances for Manchester United.
“A relentless, selfless box-to-box midfielder whose stamina and tactical discipline made him invaluable in the biggest matches.”
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)
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
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
- 2000 Professional debut for Kyoto Purple Sanga
- 2007 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 2008 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 2008 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Queens Park Rangers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Pelé edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Pelé edges it (a decisive margin)
