José Luis Chilavert vs Raymond Kopa: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Paraguay (born 1965, retired 2004) · Forward, France (born 1931, retired 1967)
José Luis Chilavert and Raymond Kopa represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Beyond the numbers, each man brought a singular aesthetic to the pitch. José Luis Chilavert finishes with 67 career goals from 737 games — a 0.09 strike rate — against Raymond Kopa's 150 from 450 at 0.33 per match. Assists were never formally recorded across most of their eras, so the playmaking dimension has to be judged on reputation and highlights rather than hard totals. Trophy counts give José Luis Chilavert 8 and Raymond Kopa 5, with 1× Copa Libertadores (1994) and 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959) the standout honours respectively. José Luis Chilavert played with a brave that made him unmistakable; Raymond Kopa brought a ruthless that was equally his own. The wider career context matters too: José Luis Chilavert peaked around 1994 after representing San Lorenzo, Real Zaragoza, Vélez Sarsfield, Strasbourg, while Raymond Kopa's defining level came around 1958 across Angers, Reims, Real Madrid, Reims. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
183 words · comparison angle: style
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.”
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× Copa Libertadores (1994)
- 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)
- 2× Ligue 1 (1953, 1960)
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
- 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
Weighing production against honours, José Luis Chilavert takes the verdict — a clear margin, driven by a weightier trophy cabinet.
José Luis Chilavert edges it (a clear margin)
