Fabio Cannavaro vs Raymond Kopa: Stats Compared
Centre-Back, Italy (born 1973, retired 2011) · Forward, France (born 1931, retired 1967)
Set Fabio Cannavaro alongside Raymond Kopa and the numbers start an argument of their own. They occupied different roles, which makes a like-for-like verdict a careful exercise. By the end Fabio Cannavaro had 23 goals from 790 caps and club outings; Raymond Kopa had 150 from 450. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. In major honours Fabio Cannavaro collected 7 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (2006) — whereas Raymond Kopa amassed 5, led by 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959). As a centre-back Fabio Cannavaro bent the role to a uncompromising template; as a forward, Raymond Kopa redefined it with mercurial authority. Club journeys add another layer, with Fabio Cannavaro reaching his representative peak around 2006 across Napoli, Parma, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid, Al-Ahli and Raymond Kopa doing so around 1958 with Angers, Reims, Real Madrid, Reims. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
168 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
Italian defender who captained Italy to the 2006 World Cup; 2006 Ballon d'Or winner, the last defender to win the award.
“A short-but-vocal centre-back whose anticipation and bravery won him the Ballon d'Or as a defender.”
France's first football superstar and 1958 Ballon d'Or winner, Kopa won three straight European Cups alongside Di Stéfano at Real Madrid before returning to lead Reims.
“A diminutive, dazzling dribbler and creator whose vision and close control made him the conductor of every attack he played in.”
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
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2006)
- 2× La Liga (2007, 2008)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1999)
- 2× Coppa Italia (1999, 2002)
- 1× Supercoppa Italiana (1999)
- 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)
- 2× Ligue 1 (1953, 1960)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1993 Napoli debut aged 19
- 1995 Joined Parma, defensive partnership with Thuram and Buffon
- 2002 Joined Inter Milan
- 2004 Signed for Juventus
- 2006 Joined Real Madrid after Calciopoli
- 2009 Returned to Juventus briefly
- 2011 Retired at Al-Ahli in Dubai
- 1949 Professional debut for Angers
- 1957 Won European Cup with Real Madrid
- 1953 Won Ligue 1 with Reims
- 1958 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 1967 Retired after a final spell at Reims
- Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Fabio Cannavaro takes it by a decisive margin.
Fabio Cannavaro edges it (a decisive margin)
