Uwe Seeler vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Striker, Germany (born 1936, retired 1972) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Put Uwe Seeler and Teófilo Cubillas side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. Legacy is the only real measure that outlives the numbers, and both have staked towering claims. Career output puts Uwe Seeler at 445 goals in 580 games, with Teófilo Cubillas at 220 in 500. Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. Trophy counts give Uwe Seeler 2 and Teófilo Cubillas 4, with 1× German Championship (1960) and 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978) the standout honours respectively. History will file Uwe Seeler under ruthless greatness and Teófilo Cubillas under creative greatness — different shelves, same temple. Their routes to the top were distinct: Uwe Seeler built his reputation across Hamburger SV, peaking around 1966, 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.
177 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
A one-club legend who spent his entire career at Hamburger SV, Seeler captained West Germany at four World Cups and remains one of the Bundesliga era's most beloved strikers.
“A stocky, powerful striker renowned for his overhead kicks and remarkable spring for a player of modest height.”
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× German Championship (1960)
- 1× DFB-Pokal (1963)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1954 Professional debut for Hamburger SV
- 1960 Won German Championship with Hamburger SV
- 1963 Won DFB-Pokal with Hamburger SV
- 1966 Reached the peak of his powers at Hamburger SV
- 1972 Retired after a final spell at Hamburger SV
- Finished his career with 445 goals in 580 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 445 goals in 580 appearances and 2 major honours.
- 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, Uwe Seeler is the choice: a narrow margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Uwe Seeler edges it (a narrow margin)
