Cafu vs Carlos Tevez: Stats Compared
Right-Back, Brazil (born 1970, retired 2008) · Striker, Argentina (born 1984, retired 2021)
The Cafu–Carlos Tevez comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Legacy is the only real measure that outlives the numbers, and both have staked towering claims. By the end Cafu had 53 goals from 856 caps and club outings; Carlos Tevez had 280 from 700. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Cafu is listed at 0 and Carlos Tevez at 90 where figures survive. Cafu departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 2× FIFA World Cup (1994, 2002); Carlos Tevez with 5, including 1× Premier League (2012). History will file Cafu under rugged greatness and Carlos Tevez under flair-driven greatness — different shelves, same temple. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Cafu's landmark level arrived around 2002 with a career spanning São Paulo, Roma, Milan; Carlos Tevez's came around 2011 across Boca Juniors, Corinthians, West Ham United, Manchester United, Manchester City, Juventus, Boca Juniors, Shanghai Shenhua, Boca Juniors. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
181 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.”
A tenacious, street-smart Argentine striker known as 'El Apache', beloved for his relentless work rate and hunger for goals.
“A combative, low-centre-of-gravity forward who pressed relentlessly and thrived on scrappy, instinctive finishes.”
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× Premier League (2012)
- 2× Serie A (2014, 2015)
- 1× Copa Libertadores (2003)
- 1× Argentine Primera División (2003)
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
- 2001 Professional debut for Boca Juniors
- 2012 Won Premier League with Manchester City
- 2003 Won Argentine Primera División with Boca Juniors
- 2011 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester City
- 2021 Retired after a final spell at Boca Juniors
- Finished his career with 280 goals in 700 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 280 goals in 700 appearances and 5 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)
