Cafu vs Paul Scholes: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Central Midfielder, England (born 1974, retired 2013)
Set Cafu alongside Paul Scholes and the numbers start an argument of their own. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. The raw numbers read 53 goals in 856 outings for Cafu (0.06/game), versus 169 in 784 for Paul Scholes (0.22/game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Cafu is listed at 0 and Paul Scholes at 75 where figures survive. Cafu departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002); Paul Scholes with 17, including 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008). The right-back duties of Cafu leaned elegant; the central midfielder responsibilities of Paul Scholes leaned silky. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Cafu's landmark level arrived around 2002 with a career spanning São Paulo, Roma, Milan; Paul Scholes's came around 2008 across Manchester United. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
164 words · comparison angle: role
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.”
Manchester United midfielder renowned for his passing range and vision; two-time Champions League winner.
“A short-sighted, single-touch midfielder whose passing range was unmatched in his generation.”
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)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008)
- 11× Premier League
- 3× FA Cup (1996, 1999, 2004)
- 1× FIFA Club World Cup (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
- 1994 Manchester United debut
- 1996 First Premier League title
- 1999 Treble winner with Manchester United
- 2003 Briefly retired from England duty
- 2008 Second Champions League winner
- 2011 Came out of retirement to help Manchester United
- 2013 Retired for good at Manchester United
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Paul Scholes wins out by a decisive margin on the weight of a sharper goalscoring record.
Paul Scholes edges it (a decisive margin)
