Garrincha vs Carlos Tevez: Stats Compared
Right Winger, Brazil (born 1933, retired 1972) · Striker, Argentina (born 1984, retired 2021)
Garrincha and Carlos Tevez represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Reputations harden into legacies, and few careers cast longer shadows than these two. On production alone, Garrincha posted 245 goals across 612 appearances while Carlos Tevez managed 280 across 700. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Garrincha is listed at 0 and Carlos Tevez at 90 where figures survive. Garrincha departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 2× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962); Carlos Tevez with 5, including 1× Premier League (2012). History will file Garrincha under explosive greatness and Carlos Tevez under predatory greatness — different shelves, same temple. Their routes to the top were distinct: Garrincha built his reputation across Botafogo, Corinthians, Flamengo, peaking around 1962, while Carlos Tevez reached his defining level around 2011 after spells with Boca Juniors, Corinthians, West Ham United, Manchester United, Manchester City, Juventus, Boca Juniors, Shanghai Shenhua, Boca Juniors. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
182 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
Manuel Francisco dos Santos (28 October 1933 – 20 January 1983), nicknamed Mané Garrincha, best known as simply Garrincha, was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a right winger. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and by many, one of the greatest dribblers ever. Garrincha played a vital role in Brazil's 1958 and 1962 World Cup victories.
“A joyful dribbler whose balance and feints made the right flank his personal stage.”
A tenacious, street-smart Argentine striker known as 'El Apache', beloved for his relentless work rate and hunger for goals.
“A combative, low-centre-of-gravity forward who pressed relentlessly and thrived on scrappy, instinctive finishes.”
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× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962)
- 1× Premier League (2012)
- 2× Serie A (2014, 2015)
- 1× Copa Libertadores (2003)
- 1× Argentine Primera División (2003)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1954 Established himself at Botafogo
- 1958 Reached his defining peak
- 1962 Delivered a landmark season
- 1972 Retired from professional football
- 2001 Professional debut for Boca Juniors
- 2012 Won Premier League with Manchester City
- 2003 Won Argentine Primera División with Boca Juniors
- 2011 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester City
- 2021 Retired after a final spell at Boca Juniors
- Finished his career with 280 goals in 700 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 280 goals in 700 appearances and 5 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
