Cafu vs Peter Shilton: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Goalkeeper, England (born 1949, retired 1997)
The Cafu–Peter Shilton comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. By the end Cafu had 53 goals from 856 caps and club outings; Peter Shilton had 1 from 1005. Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. Cafu departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002); Peter Shilton with 4, including 2× European Cup (1979, 1980). Across the turn of the millennium and the 1980s respectively, their commanding and reflex-sharp styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Club journeys add another layer, with Cafu reaching his representative peak around 2002 across São Paulo, Roma, Milan and Peter Shilton doing so around 1980 with Leicester City, Stoke City, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Derby County, Plymouth Argyle, Wimbledon, Leyton Orient. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
173 words · comparison angle: era
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 most-capped England player in history with 125 caps, Shilton set an English record of 1,005 league appearances and won back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest.
“A commanding, remarkably consistent shot-stopper whose positioning and reflexes made him one of the most reliable goalkeepers of 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× European Cup (1979, 1980)
- 1× English First Division (1978)
- 1× League Cup (1979)
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
- 1966 Professional debut for Leicester City
- 1979 Won European Cup with Nottingham Forest
- 1979 Won League Cup with Nottingham Forest
- 1980 Reached the peak of his powers at Nottingham Forest
- 1997 Retired after a final spell at Leyton Orient
- Finished his career with 1 goals in 1005 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 1 goals in 1005 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Cafu takes it by a decisive margin.
Cafu edges it (a decisive margin)
