Careca vs Predrag Mijatović: Stats Compared
Striker, Brazil (born 1960, retired 1994) · Striker, Yugoslavia (born 1969, retired 2004)
Careca against Predrag Mijatović is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Their textures on the ball are what fans actually remember, and they could hardly be more different. Career output puts Careca at 300 goals in 600 games, with Predrag Mijatović at 210 in 500. Creativity tells a story too: 30 assists for Careca against 30 for Predrag Mijatović. In major honours Careca collected 4 — headlined by 2× Serie A (1987, 1990) — whereas Predrag Mijatović amassed 2, led by 1× UEFA Champions League (1998). Stylistically Careca was ruthless where Predrag Mijatović was flair-driven — two vocabularies of the same sport. Club journeys add another layer, with Careca reaching his representative peak around 1988 across Guarani, São Paulo, Napoli, Kashima Antlers and Predrag Mijatović doing so around 1998 with Budućnost Podgorica, Partizan, Valencia CF, Real Madrid, Fiorentina, Levante. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
153 words · comparison angle: style
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.”
Mijatović's decisive winning goal in the 1998 Champions League final ended Real Madrid's 32-year wait for the European Cup and remains one of the club's most iconic moments.
“A clever, mobile striker whose intelligent runs in behind and composed finishing produced goals in the biggest moments.”
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× UEFA Champions League (1998)
- 1× La Liga (1997)
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.
- 1986 Professional debut for Budućnost Podgorica
- 1998 Won UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid
- 1997 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Levante
- Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 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)
