Franco Baresi vs Raymond Kopa: Stats Compared
Sweeper / Centre-Back, Italy (born 1960, retired 1997) · Forward, France (born 1931, retired 1967)
Set Franco Baresi alongside Raymond Kopa and the numbers start an argument of their own. Greatness, in the end, is about who you inspired, and both left a footprint far beyond their own careers. Franco Baresi finishes with 19 career goals from 800 games — a 0.02 strike rate — against Raymond Kopa's 150 from 450 at 0.33 per match. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. In major honours Franco Baresi collected 18 — headlined by 3× European Cup (1989, 1990, 1994) — whereas Raymond Kopa amassed 5, led by 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959). History will file Franco Baresi under rugged greatness and Raymond Kopa under predatory greatness — different shelves, same temple. Their routes to the top were distinct: Franco Baresi built his reputation across AC Milan, peaking around 1989, while Raymond Kopa reached his defining level around 1958 after spells with Angers, Reims, Real Madrid, Reims. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
179 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
AC Milan icon who spent his entire 20-year career at the club; three-time European Cup winner and 1994 World Cup finalist with Italy.
“A peerless sweeper whose reading, tackling and leadership built a defensive dynasty at Milan.”
France's first football superstar and 1958 Ballon d'Or winner, Kopa won three straight European Cups alongside Di Stéfano at Real Madrid before returning to lead Reims.
“A diminutive, dazzling dribbler and creator whose vision and close control made him the conductor of every attack he played in.”
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
- 3× European Cup (1989, 1990, 1994)
- 6× Serie A (1979, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996)
- 4× Supercoppa Italiana
- 3× UEFA Super Cup
- 2× Intercontinental Cup (1989, 1990)
- 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)
- 2× Ligue 1 (1953, 1960)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1977 AC Milan debut aged 17
- 1979 First Scudetto with Milan
- 1980 Stayed at Milan in Serie B after the betting scandal
- 1989 First European Cup with Milan
- 1994 Won the Champions League conceding just 15 goals in 30 league games
- 1997 Retired aged 37 with the number 6 shirt retired in his honour
- 1949 Professional debut for Angers
- 1957 Won European Cup with Real Madrid
- 1953 Won Ligue 1 with Reims
- 1958 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 1967 Retired after a final spell at Reims
- Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Franco Baresi is the choice: a decisive margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
Franco Baresi edges it (a decisive margin)
