Rivelino vs George Weah: Stats Compared
Left Midfielder, Brazil (born 1946, retired 1981) · Striker, Liberia (born 1966, retired 2003)
Set Rivelino alongside George Weah and the numbers start an argument of their own. Greatness, in the end, is about who you inspired, and both left a footprint far beyond their own careers. By the end Rivelino had 238 goals from 624 caps and club outings; George Weah had 230 from 460. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Rivelino is listed at 0 and George Weah at 60 where figures survive. In major honours Rivelino collected 8 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (1970) — whereas George Weah amassed 3, led by 2× Serie A (1996, 1999). History will file Rivelino under silky greatness and George Weah under clinical greatness — different shelves, same temple. The wider career context matters too: Rivelino peaked around 1970 after representing Corinthians, Fluminense, Al-Hilal, while George Weah's defining level came around 1995 across Tonnerre Yaoundé, Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City, Marseille, Al Jazira. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
180 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.”
The only African and Liberian ever to win the Ballon d'Or, Weah was a rare striker capable of running the length of the pitch to score, before later becoming Liberia's president.
“A powerful, quick target man with surprising close control, famous for driving solo runs the length of the field.”
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)
- 2× Serie A (1996, 1999)
- 1× Coupe de France (1991)
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 Tonnerre Yaoundé
- 1996 Won Serie A with AC Milan
- 1991 Won Coupe de France with Monaco
- 1995 Reached the peak of his powers at Paris Saint-Germain
- 2003 Retired after a final spell at Al Jazira
- Finished his career with 230 goals in 460 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 230 goals in 460 appearances and 3 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Rivelino edges the comparison. The margin is a clear margin, decided mostly by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Rivelino edges it (a clear margin)
