Romário vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Striker, Brazil (born 1966, retired 2009) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Romário versus Teófilo Cubillas is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. Romário finishes with 753 career goals from 994 games — a 0.76 strike rate — against Teófilo Cubillas's 220 from 500 at 0.44 per match. Assists were never formally recorded across most of their eras, so the playmaking dimension has to be judged on reputation and highlights rather than hard totals. Trophy counts give Romário 9 and Teófilo Cubillas 4, with 1× FIFA World Cup (1994) and 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978) the standout honours respectively. Romário belonged to the 1990s, dominating with a mercurial quality; Teófilo Cubillas rose in the 1970s with a dictatorial edge. Their routes to the top were distinct: Romário built his reputation across PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Vasco da Gama, peaking around 1994, while Teófilo Cubillas reached his defining level around 1978 after spells with Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
187 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Romário de Souza Faria (born 29 January 1966), known simply as Romário, is a Brazilian politician and former professional footballer. A prolific striker renowned for clinical finishing, he is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He scored more than 700 goals for club and country and became one of only five players to score 100 goals for three different clubs.
“A compact poacher whose first touch and near-post movement were relentlessly efficient.”
Peru's greatest ever player, Cubillas remains the only man to score five goals across two separate World Cups, inspiring Peru's celebrated 1978 side.
“A quick, two-footed attacking midfielder renowned for a ferocious long-range shot and clever dribbling in tight spaces.”
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 (1994)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1986 Established himself at PSV Eindhoven
- 1990 Reached his defining peak
- 1994 Delivered a landmark season
- 2009 Retired from professional football
- 1966 Professional debut for Alianza Lima
- 1967 Won Peruvian Primera División with Alianza Lima
- 1978 Reached the peak of his powers at Alianza Lima
- 1989 Retired after a final spell at Alianza Lima
- Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Romário is the choice: a decisive margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Romário edges it (a decisive margin)
