George Weah vs Fabio Cannavaro: Stats Compared
Striker, Liberia (born 1966, retired 2003) · Centre-Back, Italy (born 1973, retired 2011)
George Weah versus Fabio Cannavaro is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Position shapes everything in football, and these two fulfilled very different briefs. On production alone, George Weah posted 230 goals across 460 appearances while Fabio Cannavaro managed 23 across 790. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, George Weah is credited with 60 and Fabio Cannavaro with 0. In major honours George Weah collected 3 — headlined by 2× Serie A (1996, 1999) — whereas Fabio Cannavaro amassed 7, led by 1× FIFA World Cup (2006). The striker duties of George Weah leaned ruthless; the centre-back responsibilities of Fabio Cannavaro leaned uncompromising. Context beyond the headline totals is important: George Weah's landmark level arrived around 1995 with a career spanning Tonnerre Yaoundé, Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City, Marseille, Al Jazira; Fabio Cannavaro's came around 2006 across Napoli, Parma, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid, Al-Ahli. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
179 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
The only African and Liberian ever to win the Ballon d'Or, Weah was a rare striker capable of running the length of the pitch to score, before later becoming Liberia's president.
“A powerful, quick target man with surprising close control, famous for driving solo runs the length of the field.”
Italian defender who captained Italy to the 2006 World Cup; 2006 Ballon d'Or winner, the last defender to win the award.
“A short-but-vocal centre-back whose anticipation and bravery won him the Ballon d'Or as a defender.”
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× Serie A (1996, 1999)
- 1× Coupe de France (1991)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2006)
- 2× La Liga (2007, 2008)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1999)
- 2× Coppa Italia (1999, 2002)
- 1× Supercoppa Italiana (1999)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1986 Professional debut for Tonnerre Yaoundé
- 1996 Won Serie A with AC Milan
- 1991 Won Coupe de France with Monaco
- 1995 Reached the peak of his powers at Paris Saint-Germain
- 2003 Retired after a final spell at Al Jazira
- Finished his career with 230 goals in 460 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 230 goals in 460 appearances and 3 major honours.
- 1993 Napoli debut aged 19
- 1995 Joined Parma, defensive partnership with Thuram and Buffon
- 2002 Joined Inter Milan
- 2004 Signed for Juventus
- 2006 Joined Real Madrid after Calciopoli
- 2009 Returned to Juventus briefly
- 2011 Retired at Al-Ahli in Dubai
The verdict
If forced to pick, Fabio Cannavaro is the choice: a clear margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
Fabio Cannavaro edges it (a clear margin)
