Cafu vs Predrag Mijatović: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Striker, Yugoslavia (born 1969, retired 2004)
When Cafu and Predrag Mijatović are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Long after the final whistle, what lingers is influence, and each man reshaped his corner of the game. On production alone, Cafu posted 53 goals across 856 appearances while Predrag Mijatović managed 210 across 500. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Cafu is listed at 0 and Predrag Mijatović at 30 where figures survive. In major honours Cafu collected 9 — headlined by 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002) — whereas Predrag Mijatović amassed 2, led by 1× UEFA Champions League (1998). Their legacies diverge in texture: Cafu is remembered as commanding, Predrag Mijatović as predatory. Their routes to the top were distinct: Cafu built his reputation across São Paulo, Roma, Milan, peaking around 2002, while Predrag Mijatović reached his defining level around 1998 after spells with Budućnost Podgorica, Partizan, Valencia CF, Real Madrid, Fiorentina, Levante. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
175 words · comparison angle: legacy
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.”
Mijatović's decisive winning goal in the 1998 Champions League final ended Real Madrid's 32-year wait for the European Cup and remains one of the club's most iconic moments.
“A clever, mobile striker whose intelligent runs in behind and composed finishing produced goals in the biggest moments.”
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× UEFA Champions League (1998)
- 1× La Liga (1997)
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
- 1986 Professional debut for Budućnost Podgorica
- 1998 Won UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid
- 1997 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Levante
- Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Cafu is the choice: a decisive margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
Cafu edges it (a decisive margin)
