Pelé vs Fernando Redondo: Stats Compared
Forward, Brazil (born 1940, retired 1977) · Defensive Midfielder, Argentina (born 1969, retired 2004)
Pelé versus Fernando Redondo is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Strip away the highlights and the medal count tells its own story for each man. Pelé finishes with 757 career goals from 812 games — a 0.93 strike rate — against Fernando Redondo's 30 from 450 at 0.07 per match. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Pelé is listed at 0 and Fernando Redondo at 60 where figures survive. The honours ledger favours Pelé with 14 major trophies (3× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962, 1970)) against Fernando Redondo's 5 (2× La Liga (1995, 1997)). Pelé built his medal haul through years of mercurial consistency, while Fernando Redondo won his with incisive bursts of brilliance. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Pelé's landmark level arrived around 1970 with a career spanning Santos, New York Cosmos; Fernando Redondo's came around 1998 across Argentinos Juniors, Real Madrid, AC Milan. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
175 words · comparison angle: trophies
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 supremely elegant defensive midfielder famed for his flowing hair and a single backheel that became one of the sport's most replayed pieces of skill.
“An elegant, deep-lying playmaker who shielded the defence while dictating play with effortless long passing.”
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)
- 2× La Liga (1995, 1997)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1998, 2000)
- 1× Intercontinental Cup (1998)
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
- 1987 Professional debut for Argentinos Juniors
- 1995 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Won Intercontinental Cup with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at AC Milan
- Finished his career with 30 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 30 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Pelé takes it by a decisive margin.
Pelé edges it (a decisive margin)
