Dino Zoff vs Elías Figueroa: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Italy (born 1942, retired 1983) · Centre-Back, Chile (born 1946, retired 1982)
Dino Zoff versus Elías Figueroa is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Silverware is the currency of legacy, and both players filled cabinets that few can rival. Career output puts Dino Zoff at 0 goals in 734 games, with Elías Figueroa at 40 in 600. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. The honours ledger favours Dino Zoff with 9 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (1982)) against Elías Figueroa's 5 (2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968)). Dino Zoff built his medal haul through years of imposing consistency, while Elías Figueroa won his with elegant bursts of brilliance. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Dino Zoff's landmark level arrived around 1982 with a career spanning Udinese, Mantova, Napoli, Juventus; Elías Figueroa's came around 1974 across Santiago Wanderers, Peñarol, Internacional, Palestino, Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
160 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Dino Zoff is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, he is the oldest ever winner of the World Cup, which he lifted as captain of the Italy national team in the 1982 tournament, at the age of 40 years, 4 months and 13 days. He also won the award for best goalkeeper of the tournament and was elected to the team of the tournament for his performances, keeping two clean-sheets, an honour he also received after winning the 1968 European Championship on home soil.
“A master of positioning and composure whose longevity made him an Italian institution.”
A three-time South American Footballer of the Year, Figueroa is widely considered the finest defender the continent has produced, marshalling Internacional's dominant 1970s side.
“An imperious, elegant centre-back who combined aerial dominance with composed distribution well ahead of his era.”
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 (1982)
- 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968)
- 3× Campeonato Gaúcho (1973, 1974, 1975)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1974 Established himself at Udinese
- 1978 Reached his defining peak
- 1982 Delivered a landmark season
- 1983 Retired from professional football
- 1965 Professional debut for Santiago Wanderers
- 1967 Won Uruguayan Primera División with Peñarol
- 1973 Won Campeonato Gaúcho with Internacional
- 1974 Reached the peak of his powers at Internacional
- 1982 Retired after a final spell at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Dino Zoff edges the comparison. The margin is a narrow margin, decided mostly by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Dino Zoff edges it (a narrow margin)
