Eusébio vs Cuauhtémoc Blanco: Stats Compared
Striker, Portugal (born 1942, retired 1978) · Forward, Mexico (born 1973, retired 2014)
Comparing Eusébio with Cuauhtémoc Blanco means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Trophies, more than goals, are how most supporters ultimately remember a career. Across his senior career Eusébio notched 623 goals in 715 appearances (0.87 per game), while Cuauhtémoc Blanco recorded 250 in 700 (0.36 per game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Eusébio is credited with 0 and Cuauhtémoc Blanco with 100. Eusébio departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× European Cup (1962); Cuauhtémoc Blanco with 4, including 3× Liga MX (1992, 2002, 2005). Eusébio built his medal haul through years of predatory consistency, while Cuauhtémoc Blanco won his with ruthless bursts of brilliance. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Eusébio's landmark level arrived around 1965 with a career spanning Benfica, Montréal Manic; Cuauhtémoc Blanco's came around 1998 across América, Chicago Fire, Puebla FC. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
172 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Eusébio da Silva Ferreira (25 January 1942 – 5 January 2014), nicknamed the "Black Panther", the "Black Pearl" and "o Rei" ("the King"), was a Portuguese footballer who played as a striker. He is considered one of the greatest players of all time and Benfica’s greatest player. Known for his speed, technique, athleticism and right-footed shot, he became one of football’s most prolific goalscorers.
“A powerful, explosive striker who combined pace, technique and a thunderous shot.”
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× European Cup (1962)
- 3× Liga MX (1992, 2002, 2005)
- 1× CONCACAF Champions' Cup (1992)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1957 Established himself at Benfica
- 1961 Reached his defining peak
- 1965 Delivered a landmark season
- 1978 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
Reasonable people will disagree, but Eusébio wins out by a decisive margin on the weight of a sharper goalscoring record.
Eusébio edges it (a decisive margin)
