Ferenc Puskás vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Forward, Hungary (born 1927, retired 1966) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
The Ferenc Puskás–Teófilo Cubillas comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. Ferenc Puskás finishes with 598 career goals from 621 games — a 0.96 strike rate — against Teófilo Cubillas's 220 from 500 at 0.44 per match. Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. The honours ledger favours Ferenc Puskás with 10 major trophies (3× European Cup (1959, 1960, 1966)) against Teófilo Cubillas's 4 (4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)). Their finishing mirrored their personalities: Ferenc Puskás explosive, Teófilo Cubillas orchestrating. Their routes to the top were distinct: Ferenc Puskás built his reputation across Budapest Honvéd, Real Madrid, peaking around 1960, while Teófilo Cubillas reached his defining level around 1978 after spells with Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
179 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Hungarian legend of the Magical Magyats and a Real Madrid galáctico; scorer of 84 goals in 85 games for Hungary.
“A barrel-chested left-footed finisher whose deadly striking powered Hungary's Golden Team.”
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
- 3× European Cup (1959, 1960, 1966)
- 5× La Liga
- 1× Olympic Gold Medal (1952)
- 1× Central European Cup (1953)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1943 Budapest Honvéd debut
- 1952 Olympic champion with Hungary
- 1953 Scored twice in the 6-3 win over England at Wembley
- 1956 Fled the Hungarian Revolution
- 1958 Joined Real Madrid
- 1960 Scored four goals in the European Cup final
- 1966 Retired from playing
- 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
Weighing production against honours, Ferenc Puskás takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a sharper goalscoring record.
Ferenc Puskás edges it (a decisive margin)
