Rudi Völler vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Striker, Germany (born 1960, retired 1996) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Rudi Völler versus Teófilo Cubillas is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Their textures on the ball are what fans actually remember, and they could hardly be more different. On production alone, Rudi Völler posted 220 goals across 480 appearances while Teófilo Cubillas managed 220 across 500. Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. In major honours Rudi Völler collected 3 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (1990) — whereas Teófilo Cubillas amassed 4, led by 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978). Stylistically Rudi Völler was explosive where Teófilo Cubillas was silky — two vocabularies of the same sport. The wider career context matters too: Rudi Völler peaked around 1990 after representing Kickers Offenbach, Werder Bremen, Roma, Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, while Teófilo Cubillas's defining level came around 1978 across Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
171 words · comparison angle: style
Player profiles
A stylish, quick German striker best remembered for his acrobatic assist to Andreas Brehme's decisive touch and clinical finishing that fired West Germany to the 1990 World Cup.
“A mobile, technically gifted striker with a flair for delicate flicks and precise, first-time finishing.”
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 (1990)
- 1× Coppa Italia (1991)
- 1× Ligue 1 (1993)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1977 Professional debut for Kickers Offenbach
- 1990 Won FIFA World Cup with Roma
- 1993 Won Ligue 1 with Marseille
- 1990 Reached the peak of his powers at Roma
- 1996 Retired after a final spell at Bayer Leverkusen
- Finished his career with 220 goals in 480 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 220 goals in 480 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, silverware and profile, the two finish within a whisker of each other. Call it a respectful draw — greatness of this calibre resists a single winner.
Too close to call — a respectful draw
