Paul Scholes vs Careca: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, England (born 1974, retired 2013) · Striker, Brazil (born 1960, retired 1994)
Ask any fan to rank Paul Scholes above or below Careca and you will get a passionate answer. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. Career output puts Paul Scholes at 169 goals in 784 games, with Careca at 300 in 600. Creativity tells a story too: 75 assists for Paul Scholes against 30 for Careca. In major honours Paul Scholes collected 17 — headlined by 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008) — whereas Careca amassed 4, led by 2× Serie A (1987, 1990). The central midfielder duties of Paul Scholes leaned orchestrating; the striker responsibilities of Careca leaned predatory. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Paul Scholes's landmark level arrived around 2008 with a career spanning Manchester United; Careca's came around 1988 across Guarani, São Paulo, Napoli, Kashima Antlers. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
150 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
Manchester United midfielder renowned for his passing range and vision; two-time Champions League winner.
“A short-sighted, single-touch midfielder whose passing range was unmatched in his generation.”
Diego Maradona's strike partner at Napoli, Careca formed one of Serie A's most feared attacking duos, helping the club to its first two Scudetti.
“A sharp, technically excellent striker whose close combination play and clinical finishing perfectly complemented a more individualist strike partner.”
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
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008)
- 11× Premier League
- 3× FA Cup (1996, 1999, 2004)
- 1× FIFA Club World Cup (2008)
- 2× Serie A (1987, 1990)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1989)
- 1× Coppa Italia (1987)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1994 Manchester United debut
- 1996 First Premier League title
- 1999 Treble winner with Manchester United
- 2003 Briefly retired from England duty
- 2008 Second Champions League winner
- 2011 Came out of retirement to help Manchester United
- 2013 Retired for good at Manchester United
- 1978 Professional debut for Guarani
- 1987 Won Serie A with São Paulo
- 1987 Won Coppa Italia with São Paulo
- 1988 Reached the peak of his powers at Napoli
- 1994 Retired after a final spell at Kashima Antlers
- Finished his career with 300 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 300 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Paul Scholes takes it by a decisive margin.
Paul Scholes edges it (a decisive margin)
