Sol Campbell vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Centre-Back, England (born 1974, retired 2011) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Sol Campbell and Teófilo Cubillas represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? It is in how they played, rather than what they won, that the comparison gets interesting. Across his senior career Sol Campbell notched 20 goals in 650 appearances (0.03 per game), while Teófilo Cubillas recorded 220 in 500 (0.44 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Sol Campbell is listed at 5 and Teófilo Cubillas at 0 where figures survive. The honours ledger favours Sol Campbell with 5 major trophies (2× Premier League (2002, 2004)) against Teófilo Cubillas's 4 (4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)). Sol Campbell played with a rugged that made him unmistakable; Teófilo Cubillas brought a creative that was equally his own. The wider career context matters too: Sol Campbell peaked around 2004 after representing Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Notts County, Newcastle United, Arsenal, while Teófilo Cubillas's defining level came around 1978 across Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
193 words · comparison angle: style
Player profiles
A commanding, athletic centre-back, Campbell was central to Arsenal's unbeaten 'Invincibles' 2003-04 title after a controversial free transfer from rivals Tottenham.
“A physically dominant, athletic centre-back whose pace and strength let him play an unusually high defensive line.”
Peru's greatest ever player, Cubillas remains the only man to score five goals across two separate World Cups, inspiring Peru's celebrated 1978 side.
“A quick, two-footed attacking midfielder renowned for a ferocious long-range shot and clever dribbling in tight spaces.”
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× Premier League (2002, 2004)
- 3× FA Cup (2001, 2003, 2008)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1992 Professional debut for Tottenham Hotspur
- 2002 Won Premier League with Arsenal
- 2001 Won FA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur
- 2004 Reached the peak of his powers at Arsenal
- 2011 Retired after a final spell at Arsenal
- Finished his career with 20 goals in 650 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 20 goals in 650 appearances and 5 major honours.
- 1966 Professional debut for Alianza Lima
- 1967 Won Peruvian Primera División with Alianza Lima
- 1978 Reached the peak of his powers at Alianza Lima
- 1989 Retired after a final spell at Alianza Lima
- Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Sol Campbell takes the verdict — a clear margin, driven by remarkable longevity.
Sol Campbell edges it (a clear margin)
