Rivelino vs Marc Overmars: Stats Compared
Left Midfielder, Brazil (born 1946, retired 1981) · Winger, Netherlands (born 1973, retired 2004)
Rivelino against Marc Overmars is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Reputations harden into legacies, and few careers cast longer shadows than these two. Rivelino finishes with 238 career goals from 624 games — a 0.38 strike rate — against Marc Overmars's 130 from 500 at 0.26 per match. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Rivelino is listed at 0 and Marc Overmars at 100 where figures survive. The honours ledger favours Rivelino with 8 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (1970)) against Marc Overmars's 3 (1× UEFA Champions League (1995)). Their legacies diverge in texture: Rivelino is remembered as incisive, Marc Overmars as predatory. Their routes to the top were distinct: Rivelino built his reputation across Corinthians, Fluminense, Al-Hilal, peaking around 1970, while Marc Overmars reached his defining level around 1998 after spells with Go Ahead Eagles, Ajax, Arsenal, Barcelona. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
171 words · comparison angle: legacy
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.”
One of the fastest wingers of his era, Overmars was a key attacker in Ajax's 1995 Champions League triumph and Arsenal's 1998 Premier League and FA Cup double.
“A blisteringly quick left winger whose explosive first few yards regularly left full-backs trailing.”
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 (1995)
- 1× Premier League (1998)
- 1× FA Cup (1998)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1962 Established himself at Corinthians
- 1966 Reached his defining peak
- 1970 Delivered a landmark season
- 1981 Retired from professional football
- 1991 Professional debut for Go Ahead Eagles
- 1995 Won UEFA Champions League with Ajax
- 1998 Won FA Cup with Arsenal
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Arsenal
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Barcelona
- Finished his career with 130 goals in 500 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 130 goals in 500 appearances and 3 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Rivelino edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Rivelino edges it (a decisive margin)
