Gianluigi Buffon vs Kaká: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Italy (born 1978, retired 2023) · Attacking Midfielder, Brazil (born 1982, retired 2017)
Gianluigi Buffon versus Kaká is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. Career output puts Gianluigi Buffon at 1 goals in 1147 games, with Kaká at 237 in 594. 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 Gianluigi Buffon with 15 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (2006)) against Kaká's 6 (1× FIFA World Cup (2002)). Their finishing mirrored their personalities: Gianluigi Buffon commanding, Kaká intelligent. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Gianluigi Buffon's landmark level arrived around 2006 with a career spanning Parma, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Parma; Kaká's came around 2007 across São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Orlando City. The fairest reading therefore balances output with role, era, longevity and the different tactical responsibilities each carried at his best. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
168 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Italian goalkeeper and the most capped Italian player of all time; 2006 World Cup winner and ten-time Serie A champion.
“An authoritative, athletic keeper whose longevity made him the most-capped goalkeeper in history.”
Brazilian attacking midfielder and 2007 Ballon d'Or winner; Champions League winner with AC Milan in 2007.
“A tall, graceful attacking midfielder who glided past defenders and finished with precision.”
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 (2006)
- 10× Serie A
- 2× Coppa Italia
- 1× UEFA Cup (1999)
- 1× Ligue 1 (2019)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2002)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2007)
- 2× FIFA Confederations Cup (2005, 2009)
- 1× Serie A (2004)
- 1× La Liga (2012)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1995 Parma debut
- 2001 World-record keeper transfer to Juventus
- 2003 Lost the Champions League final on penalties
- 2006 World Cup winner with Italy
- 2018 Joined Paris Saint-Germain
- 2019 Returned to Juventus
- 2023 Scored a career goal for Parma in Serie B
- 2001 São Paulo breakthrough
- 2002 World Cup winner (limited role)
- 2003 Signed for AC Milan
- 2005 Lost the Champions League final in Istanbul
- 2007 Champions League winner and Ballon d'Or winner
- 2009 Record transfer to Real Madrid
- 2017 Retired at Orlando City
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Kaká takes the verdict — a narrow margin, driven by a sharper goalscoring record.
Kaká edges it (a narrow margin)
