Cafu vs Kevin Keegan: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Forward, England (born 1951, retired 1984)
Set Cafu alongside Kevin Keegan 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. The raw numbers read 53 goals in 856 outings for Cafu (0.06/game), versus 240 in 700 for Kevin Keegan (0.34/game). 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. Cafu departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002); Kevin Keegan with 6, including 1× European Cup (1977). Cafu scored with a anticipatory that defined his era, while Kevin Keegan's finishing carried a ruthless all of its own. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Cafu's landmark level arrived around 2002 with a career spanning São Paulo, Roma, Milan; Kevin Keegan's came around 1978 across Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburger SV, Southampton, Newcastle United. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
172 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Marcos Evangelista de Morais (born 7 June 1970), known as Cafu, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a right-back. Widely regarded as one of the greatest full-backs of all time, he was known for his pace and energetic attacking runs along the right flank. He is the most-capped player for the Brazil national team with 142 appearances.
“A relentless full-back whose running power and crossing made the flank a second engine.”
A two-time Ballon d'Or winner, Keegan was English football's first true superstar of the television era, winning the European Cup with Liverpool before dazzling in the Bundesliga.
“An energetic, tirelessly hard-running forward whose enthusiasm and clever movement made him far more effective than his modest frame suggested.”
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× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002)
- 1× European Cup (1977)
- 3× English First Division (1973, 1976, 1977)
- 2× UEFA Cup (1973, 1976)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1994 Established himself at São Paulo
- 1998 Reached his defining peak
- 2002 Delivered a landmark season
- 2008 Retired from professional football
- 1968 Professional debut for Scunthorpe United
- 1977 Won European Cup with Liverpool
- 1973 Won UEFA Cup with Liverpool
- 1978 Reached the peak of his powers at Hamburger SV
- 1984 Retired after a final spell at Newcastle United
- Finished his career with 240 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 240 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Cafu the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a weightier trophy cabinet.
Cafu edges it (a decisive margin)
