Zico vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Brazil (born 1953, retired 1994) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Set Zico alongside Teófilo Cubillas and the numbers start an argument of their own. Where pure finishing is concerned, this is a shootout between two of the most feared marksmen of their time. By the end Zico had 525 goals from 732 caps and club outings; Teófilo Cubillas had 220 from 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. Trophy counts give Zico 9 and Teófilo Cubillas 4, with 4× Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978) the standout honours respectively. Zico scored with a incisive that defined his era, while Teófilo Cubillas's finishing carried a incisive all of its own. Club journeys add another layer, with Zico reaching his representative peak around 1981 across Flamengo, Udinese, Kashima Antlers and Teófilo Cubillas doing so around 1978 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.
180 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Arthur Antunes Coimbra, better known as Zico, is a Brazilian football coach and former player who played as an attacking midfielder. A creative playmaker with excellent technical skills, vision and an eye for goal, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and also considered one of the best free kick specialists in history. According to one estimate, Zico has scored the most direct free kicks in history, with 101 goals including friendlies, among which 62 are verified in official games.
“A free-kick artist and incisive number ten whose final pass arrived before defenders could react.”
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
- 4× Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1973 Established himself at Flamengo
- 1977 Reached his defining peak
- 1981 Delivered a landmark season
- 1994 Retired from professional football
- 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
The numbers give Zico the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Zico edges it (a decisive margin)
