Careca vs Raymond Kopa: Stats Compared
Striker, Brazil (born 1960, retired 1994) · Forward, France (born 1931, retired 1967)
Put Careca and Raymond Kopa side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. Era matters in any comparison, and these two peaked under very different footballing conditions. Across his senior career Careca notched 300 goals in 600 appearances (0.50 per game), while Raymond Kopa recorded 150 in 450 (0.33 per game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Careca is credited with 30 and Raymond Kopa with 0. Trophy counts give Careca 4 and Raymond Kopa 5, with 2× Serie A (1987, 1990) and 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959) the standout honours respectively. Across the 1980s and the post-war golden age respectively, their explosive and predatory styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Club journeys add another layer, with Careca reaching his representative peak around 1988 across Guarani, São Paulo, Napoli, Kashima Antlers and Raymond Kopa doing so around 1958 with Angers, Reims, Real Madrid, Reims. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
180 words · comparison angle: era
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.”
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
- 2× Serie A (1987, 1990)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1989)
- 1× Coppa Italia (1987)
- 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)
- 2× Ligue 1 (1953, 1960)
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.
- 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
On balance Careca edges the comparison. The margin is a clear margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Careca edges it (a clear margin)
