Ivan Rakitić vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, Croatia (born 1988, retired 2023) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Ivan Rakitić against Teófilo Cubillas is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. On production alone, Ivan Rakitić posted 90 goals across 700 appearances while Teófilo Cubillas managed 220 across 500. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Ivan Rakitić is credited with 90 and Teófilo Cubillas with 0. Ivan Rakitić departs the game with 6 major pieces of silverware, including 1× UEFA Champions League (2015); Teófilo Cubillas with 4, including 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978). Ivan Rakitić scored with a incisive that defined his era, while Teófilo Cubillas's finishing carried a incisive all of its own. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Ivan Rakitić's landmark level arrived around 2015 with a career spanning Basel, Schalke 04, Sevilla, Barcelona, Sevilla, Hajduk Split; Teófilo Cubillas's came around 1978 across Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
193 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
A key architect of Barcelona's 2015 treble and Croatia's run to the 2018 World Cup final, Rakitić combined tireless work rate with excellent passing range.
“A tireless, technically composed box-to-box midfielder whose range of passing linked defence and attack seamlessly.”
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
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2015)
- 1× UEFA Europa League (2014)
- 4× La Liga (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2005 Professional debut for Basel
- 2015 Won UEFA Champions League with Barcelona
- 2015 Won La Liga with Barcelona
- 2015 Reached the peak of his powers at Barcelona
- 2023 Retired after a final spell at Hajduk Split
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours.
- 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
On balance Ivan Rakitić edges the comparison. The margin is a clear margin, decided mostly by superior creative output.
Ivan Rakitić edges it (a clear margin)
