Cafu vs Park Ji-sung: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014)
The Cafu–Park Ji-sung comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Style separates them as much as statistics: two players, two unmistakable signatures. Cafu finishes with 53 career goals from 856 games — a 0.06 strike rate — against Park Ji-sung's 60 from 550 at 0.11 per match. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Cafu is listed at 0 and Park Ji-sung at 60 where figures survive. The honours ledger favours Cafu with 9 major trophies (2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002)) against Park Ji-sung's 5 (4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)). Cafu played with a elegant that made him unmistakable; Park Ji-sung brought a creative that was equally his own. The wider career context matters too: Cafu peaked around 2002 after representing São Paulo, Roma, Milan, while Park Ji-sung's defining level came around 2008 across Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
171 words · comparison angle: style
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.”
The first Asian player to win the Champions League and reach a World Cup semi-final, Park was renowned for his tireless work rate and big-game performances for Manchester United.
“A relentless, selfless box-to-box midfielder whose stamina and tactical discipline made him invaluable in the biggest matches.”
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)
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
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
- 2000 Professional debut for Kyoto Purple Sanga
- 2007 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 2008 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 2008 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Queens Park Rangers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 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)
