Rivelino vs Park Ji-sung: Stats Compared
Left Midfielder, Brazil (born 1946, retired 1981) · Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014)
Put Rivelino and Park Ji-sung side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. Rivelino finishes with 238 career goals from 624 games — a 0.38 strike rate — against Park Ji-sung's 60 from 550 at 0.11 per match. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Rivelino is listed at 0 and Park Ji-sung at 60 where figures survive. In major honours Rivelino collected 8 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (1970) — whereas Park Ji-sung amassed 5, led by 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011). The left midfielder duties of Rivelino leaned creative; the midfielder responsibilities of Park Ji-sung leaned incisive. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Rivelino's landmark level arrived around 1970 with a career spanning Corinthians, Fluminense, Al-Hilal; Park Ji-sung's came around 2008 across Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
180 words · comparison angle: role
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 first Asian player to win the Champions League and reach a World Cup semi-final, Park was renowned for his tireless work rate and big-game performances for Manchester United.
“A relentless, selfless box-to-box midfielder whose stamina and tactical discipline made him invaluable in the biggest matches.”
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)
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1962 Established himself at Corinthians
- 1966 Reached his defining peak
- 1970 Delivered a landmark season
- 1981 Retired from professional football
- 2000 Professional debut for Kyoto Purple Sanga
- 2007 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 2008 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 2008 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Queens Park Rangers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Rivelino wins out by a clear margin on the weight of a sharper goalscoring record.
Rivelino edges it (a clear margin)
