Ferenc Puskás vs Teddy Sheringham: Stats Compared
Forward, Hungary (born 1927, retired 1966) · Striker, England (born 1966, retired 2008)
There is something timeless about weighing Ferenc Puskás against Teddy Sheringham. Legacy is the only real measure that outlives the numbers, and both have staked towering claims. Ferenc Puskás finishes with 598 career goals from 621 games — a 0.96 strike rate — against Teddy Sheringham's 320 from 900 at 0.36 per match. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Ferenc Puskás is listed at 0 and Teddy Sheringham at 130 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Ferenc Puskás 10 and Teddy Sheringham 4, with 3× European Cup (1959, 1960, 1966) and 1× UEFA Champions League (1999) the standout honours respectively. Their legacies diverge in texture: Ferenc Puskás is remembered as mercurial, Teddy Sheringham as ruthless. The wider career context matters too: Ferenc Puskás peaked around 1960 after representing Budapest Honvéd, Real Madrid, while Teddy Sheringham's defining level came around 1999 across Millwall, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, West Ham United, Colchester United. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
182 words · comparison angle: legacy
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.”
A cerebral, late-developing striker, Sheringham scored the injury-time equaliser in Manchester United's 1999 Champions League final and remains the Premier League's oldest ever goalscorer.
“An intelligent, deep-dropping forward whose clever hold-up play and vision created space for quicker strike partners.”
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)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (1999)
- 2× Premier League (1999, 2000)
- 1× FA Cup (1999)
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
- 1984 Professional debut for Millwall
- 1999 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 1999 Won FA Cup with Manchester United
- 1999 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2008 Retired after a final spell at Colchester United
- Finished his career with 320 goals in 900 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 320 goals in 900 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Ferenc Puskás is the choice: a decisive margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Ferenc Puskás edges it (a decisive margin)
