Careca vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Striker, Brazil (born 1960, retired 1994) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
Careca against Clint Dempsey is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Where pure finishing is concerned, this is a shootout between two of the most feared marksmen of their time. Across his senior career Careca notched 300 goals in 600 appearances (0.50 per game), while Clint Dempsey recorded 180 in 550 (0.33 per game). The assist columns read 30 for Careca and 90 for Clint Dempsey where the record exists. The honours ledger favours Careca with 4 major trophies (2× Serie A (1987, 1990)) against Clint Dempsey's 2 (1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)). Their finishing mirrored their personalities: Careca mercurial, Clint Dempsey clinical. Their routes to the top were distinct: Careca built his reputation across Guarani, São Paulo, Napoli, Kashima Antlers, peaking around 1988, while Clint Dempsey reached his defining level around 2012 after spells with New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
161 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Diego Maradona's strike partner at Napoli, Careca formed one of Serie A's most feared attacking duos, helping the club to its first two Scudetti.
“A sharp, technically excellent striker whose close combination play and clinical finishing perfectly complemented a more individualist strike partner.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
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× Serie A (1987, 1990)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1989)
- 1× Coppa Italia (1987)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1978 Professional debut for Guarani
- 1987 Won Serie A with São Paulo
- 1987 Won Coppa Italia with São Paulo
- 1988 Reached the peak of his powers at Napoli
- 1994 Retired after a final spell at Kashima Antlers
- Finished his career with 300 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 300 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours.
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Careca the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Careca edges it (a clear margin)
