Cláudio Taffarel vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Brazil (born 1966, retired 2003) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Put Cláudio Taffarel and Teófilo Cubillas side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. Career output puts Cláudio Taffarel at 0 goals in 550 games, with Teófilo Cubillas at 220 in 500. 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. Cláudio Taffarel departs the game with 3 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1994); Teófilo Cubillas with 4, including 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978). Across the 1990s and the 1970s respectively, their sweeper-keen and silky styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Club journeys add another layer, with Cláudio Taffarel reaching his representative peak around 1994 across Internacional, Parma, Atlético Mineiro, Palmeiras and Teófilo Cubillas doing so around 1978 with Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
178 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Brazil's first-choice goalkeeper through the 1990s, Taffarel's penalty save on Italy's Daniele Massaro sealed the 1994 World Cup, one of the finest shootout performances in the tournament's history.
“A reliable, agile shot-stopper renowned for his composure in penalty shootouts and clean handling under pressure.”
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)
- 1× Copa América (1997)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1995)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1985 Professional debut for Internacional
- 1994 Won FIFA World Cup with Parma
- 1995 Won UEFA Cup with Parma
- 1994 Reached the peak of his powers at Parma
- 2003 Retired after a final spell at Palmeiras
- Finished his career with 0 goals in 550 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 0 goals in 550 appearances and 3 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
Weighing production against honours, Teófilo Cubillas takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a sharper goalscoring record.
Teófilo Cubillas edges it (a decisive margin)
