Raúl vs Elías Figueroa: Stats Compared
Striker, Spain (born 1977, retired 2015) · Centre-Back, Chile (born 1946, retired 1982)
When Raúl and Elías Figueroa are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. The raw numbers read 432 goals in 1032 outings for Raúl (0.42/game), versus 40 in 600 for Elías Figueroa (0.07/game). Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Raúl departs the game with 16 major pieces of silverware, including 3× UEFA Champions League (1998, 2000, 2002); Elías Figueroa with 5, including 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968). Their finishing mirrored their personalities: Raúl flair-driven, Elías Figueroa elegant. Their routes to the top were distinct: Raúl built his reputation across Real Madrid, Schalke 04, Al Sadd, New York Cosmos, peaking around 2002, while Elías Figueroa reached his defining level around 1974 after spells with Santiago Wanderers, Peñarol, Internacional, Palestino, Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
173 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Real Madrid legend who captained the club to three Champions League titles; held the all-time Champions League goals record before Messi and Ronaldo surpassed him.
“An intelligent, tireless forward whose movement off the ball created chances for himself and others.”
A three-time South American Footballer of the Year, Figueroa is widely considered the finest defender the continent has produced, marshalling Internacional's dominant 1970s side.
“An imperious, elegant centre-back who combined aerial dominance with composed distribution well ahead of his era.”
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× UEFA Champions League (1998, 2000, 2002)
- 6× La Liga
- 4× Supercopa de España
- 2× Intercontinental Cup (1998, 2002)
- 1× UEFA Super Cup (2002)
- 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968)
- 3× Campeonato Gaúcho (1973, 1974, 1975)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1994 Real Madrid debut aged 17
- 1996 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Champions League winner at 20
- 2000 Champions League winner, top scorer in the tournament
- 2003 Became Real Madrid captain
- 2010 Left Real Madrid after 16 years at the club
- 2015 Retired at New York Cosmos
- 1965 Professional debut for Santiago Wanderers
- 1967 Won Uruguayan Primera División with Peñarol
- 1973 Won Campeonato Gaúcho with Internacional
- 1974 Reached the peak of his powers at Internacional
- 1982 Retired after a final spell at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Raúl takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a sharper goalscoring record.
Raúl edges it (a decisive margin)
