Peter Shilton vs Raymond Kopa: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, England (born 1949, retired 1997) · Forward, France (born 1931, retired 1967)
Comparing Peter Shilton with Raymond Kopa means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. They occupied different roles, which makes a like-for-like verdict a careful exercise. Across his senior career Peter Shilton notched 1 goals in 1005 appearances (0.00 per game), while Raymond Kopa recorded 150 in 450 (0.33 per game). Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. In major honours Peter Shilton collected 4 — headlined by 2× European Cup (1979, 1980) — whereas Raymond Kopa amassed 5, led by 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959). As a goalkeeper Peter Shilton bent the role to a reflex-sharp template; as a forward, Raymond Kopa redefined it with explosive authority. Club journeys add another layer, with Peter Shilton reaching his representative peak around 1980 across Leicester City, Stoke City, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Derby County, Plymouth Argyle, Wimbledon, Leyton Orient and Raymond Kopa doing so around 1958 with Angers, Reims, Real Madrid, Reims. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
182 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
The most-capped England player in history with 125 caps, Shilton set an English record of 1,005 league appearances and won back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest.
“A commanding, remarkably consistent shot-stopper whose positioning and reflexes made him one of the most reliable goalkeepers of his generation.”
France's first football superstar and 1958 Ballon d'Or winner, Kopa won three straight European Cups alongside Di Stéfano at Real Madrid before returning to lead Reims.
“A diminutive, dazzling dribbler and creator whose vision and close control made him the conductor of every attack he played in.”
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× European Cup (1979, 1980)
- 1× English First Division (1978)
- 1× League Cup (1979)
- 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)
- 2× Ligue 1 (1953, 1960)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1966 Professional debut for Leicester City
- 1979 Won European Cup with Nottingham Forest
- 1979 Won League Cup with Nottingham Forest
- 1980 Reached the peak of his powers at Nottingham Forest
- 1997 Retired after a final spell at Leyton Orient
- Finished his career with 1 goals in 1005 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 1 goals in 1005 appearances and 4 major honours.
- 1949 Professional debut for Angers
- 1957 Won European Cup with Real Madrid
- 1953 Won Ligue 1 with Reims
- 1958 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 1967 Retired after a final spell at Reims
- Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Peter Shilton the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of remarkable longevity.
Peter Shilton edges it (a clear margin)
