José Luis Chilavert vs Cuauhtémoc Blanco: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Paraguay (born 1965, retired 2004) · Forward, Mexico (born 1973, retired 2014)
José Luis Chilavert versus Cuauhtémoc Blanco is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Reputations harden into legacies, and few careers cast longer shadows than these two. José Luis Chilavert finishes with 67 career goals from 737 games — a 0.09 strike rate — against Cuauhtémoc Blanco's 250 from 700 at 0.36 per match. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, José Luis Chilavert is credited with 0 and Cuauhtémoc Blanco with 100. Trophy counts give José Luis Chilavert 8 and Cuauhtémoc Blanco 4, with 1× Copa Libertadores (1994) and 3× Liga MX (1992, 2002, 2005) the standout honours respectively. Their legacies diverge in texture: José Luis Chilavert is remembered as brave, Cuauhtémoc Blanco as clinical. Club journeys add another layer, with José Luis Chilavert reaching his representative peak around 1994 across San Lorenzo, Real Zaragoza, Vélez Sarsfield, Strasbourg and Cuauhtémoc Blanco doing so around 1998 with América, Chicago Fire, Puebla FC. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
176 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
José Luis Félix Chilavert González is a Paraguayan former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Sportivo Luqueño, Guaraní, San Lorenzo de Almagro, Real Zaragoza, Vélez Sarsfield, RC Strasbourg, Peñarol and the Paraguay national team. Chilavert won 12 club titles, including the 1994 Copa Libertadores and the 1994 Intercontinental Cup, while playing for Vélez Sarsfield, and is a three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award winner. A fast and agile shot-stopper, known for his leadership, strong personality, and goalkeeping ability, he was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world in his prime; outside of his goalkeeping position, Chilavert was also known for his outfield skills and ability as a free kick specialist, and often took penalties.
“A commanding goalkeeper and set-piece specialist who made scoring from distance part of his job.”
A flamboyant Mexican playmaker famed for inventing the 'Cuauhtemiña' skill move, Blanco starred at three World Cups across a 20-year career.
“A stocky, combative forward with outrageous flair, best remembered for hopping the ball between two defenders in a signature dribble.”
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× Copa Libertadores (1994)
- 3× Liga MX (1992, 2002, 2005)
- 1× CONCACAF Champions' Cup (1992)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1986 Established himself at San Lorenzo
- 1990 Reached his defining peak
- 1994 Delivered a landmark season
- 2004 Retired from professional football
- 1992 Professional debut for América
- 1992 Won Liga MX with América
- 1992 Won CONCACAF Champions' Cup with América
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at América
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Puebla FC
- Finished his career with 250 goals in 700 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 250 goals in 700 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production, silverware and profile, the two finish within a whisker of each other. Call it a respectful draw — greatness of this calibre resists a single winner.
Too close to call — a respectful draw
