Rivelino vs Geoff Hurst: Stats Compared
Left Midfielder, Brazil (born 1946, retired 1981) · Striker, England (born 1941, retired 1976)
Put Rivelino and Geoff Hurst side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. Strikers are judged on goals, and on that raw currency both men delivered extraordinary returns. Career output puts Rivelino at 238 goals in 624 games, with Geoff Hurst at 250 in 650. Assists were never formally recorded across most of their eras, so the playmaking dimension has to be judged on reputation and highlights rather than hard totals. The honours ledger favours Rivelino with 8 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (1970)) against Geoff Hurst's 3 (1× FIFA World Cup (1966)). Rivelino scored with a intelligent that defined his era, while Geoff Hurst's finishing carried a flair-driven all of its own. Club journeys add another layer, with Rivelino reaching his representative peak around 1970 across Corinthians, Fluminense, Al-Hilal and Geoff Hurst doing so around 1966 with West Ham United, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
159 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Roberto Rivellino (born 1 January 1946), known mononymously as Rivellino, is a Brazilian football pundit and former player. He was a key member of Brazil’s 1970 FIFA World Cup-winning team and played as an attacking midfielder. He was renowned for his moustache, powerful long-range shooting, accurate passing, close control, dribbling and bending free kicks.
“A left-footed conductor famous for the elastico, fierce shooting and daring switches of play.”
The only player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, Hurst's three goals for England against West Germany in 1966 remain one of football's most iconic feats.
“A powerful, intelligent striker whose aerial ability and clinical finishing made the difference on the biggest stage of all.”
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× FIFA World Cup (1970)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1966)
- 1× FA Cup (1964)
- 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1965)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1962 Established himself at Corinthians
- 1966 Reached his defining peak
- 1970 Delivered a landmark season
- 1981 Retired from professional football
- 1959 Professional debut for West Ham United
- 1966 Won FIFA World Cup with West Ham United
- 1965 Won UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with West Ham United
- 1966 Reached the peak of his powers at West Ham United
- 1976 Retired after a final spell at West Bromwich Albion
- Finished his career with 250 goals in 650 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 250 goals in 650 appearances and 3 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Rivelino the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a weightier trophy cabinet.
Rivelino edges it (a decisive margin)
