Rivelino vs Predrag Mijatović: Stats Compared
Left Midfielder, Brazil (born 1946, retired 1981) · Striker, Yugoslavia (born 1969, retired 2004)
The Rivelino–Predrag Mijatović comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Goals are the coldest, hardest metric in football, and both players stockedpile them. By the end Rivelino had 238 goals from 624 caps and club outings; Predrag Mijatović had 210 from 500. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Rivelino is listed at 0 and Predrag Mijatović at 30 where figures survive. In major honours Rivelino collected 8 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (1970) — whereas Predrag Mijatović amassed 2, led by 1× UEFA Champions League (1998). Where Rivelino was a creative presence in the box, Predrag Mijatović offered a predatory approach to goalscoring. Club journeys add another layer, with Rivelino reaching his representative peak around 1970 across Corinthians, Fluminense, Al-Hilal and Predrag Mijatović doing so around 1998 with Budućnost Podgorica, Partizan, Valencia CF, Real Madrid, Fiorentina, Levante. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
164 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.”
Mijatović's decisive winning goal in the 1998 Champions League final ended Real Madrid's 32-year wait for the European Cup and remains one of the club's most iconic moments.
“A clever, mobile striker whose intelligent runs in behind and composed finishing produced goals in the biggest moments.”
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× UEFA Champions League (1998)
- 1× La Liga (1997)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1962 Established himself at Corinthians
- 1966 Reached his defining peak
- 1970 Delivered a landmark season
- 1981 Retired from professional football
- 1986 Professional debut for Budućnost Podgorica
- 1998 Won UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid
- 1997 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Levante
- Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 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)
