Roberto Baggio vs Ferenc Puskás: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Italy (born 1967, retired 2004) · Forward, Hungary (born 1927, retired 1966)
Roberto Baggio and Ferenc Puskás represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. On production alone, Roberto Baggio posted 318 goals across 602 appearances while Ferenc Puskás managed 598 across 621. Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. The honours ledger favours Roberto Baggio with 9 major trophies (1× UEFA Cup (1993)) against Ferenc Puskás's 10 (3× European Cup (1959, 1960, 1966)). The attacking midfielder duties of Roberto Baggio leaned intelligent; the forward responsibilities of Ferenc Puskás leaned mercurial. Club journeys add another layer, with Roberto Baggio reaching his representative peak around 1993 across Vicenza, Fiorentina, Juventus, Milan, Bologna, Inter and Ferenc Puskás doing so around 1960 with Budapest Honvéd, Real Madrid. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
158 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
Roberto Baggio is an Italian former professional footballer who mainly played as a second striker, or as an attacking midfielder. He is also the former president of the technical sector of the Italian Football Federation. A highly skillful creative playmaker and set piece specialist, renowned for his curling free-kicks, dribbling skills, and goalscoring, Baggio is regarded by many as one of the greatest players of all time.
“A delicate playmaker with velvet touch, disguised passing and an instinct for decisive moments.”
Hungarian legend of the Magical Magyats and a Real Madrid galáctico; scorer of 84 goals in 85 games for Hungary.
“A barrel-chested left-footed finisher whose deadly striking powered Hungary's Golden Team.”
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× UEFA Cup (1993)
- 3× European Cup (1959, 1960, 1966)
- 5× La Liga
- 1× Olympic Gold Medal (1952)
- 1× Central European Cup (1953)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1985 Established himself at Vicenza
- 1989 Reached his defining peak
- 1993 Delivered a landmark season
- 2004 Retired from professional football
- 1943 Budapest Honvéd debut
- 1952 Olympic champion with Hungary
- 1953 Scored twice in the 6-3 win over England at Wembley
- 1956 Fled the Hungarian Revolution
- 1958 Joined Real Madrid
- 1960 Scored four goals in the European Cup final
- 1966 Retired from playing
The verdict
The numbers give Ferenc Puskás the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Ferenc Puskás edges it (a clear margin)
