Ruud Gullit vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Forward / Midfielder, Netherlands (born 1962, retired 1998) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Comparing Ruud Gullit with Teófilo Cubillas means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Different decades shaped different demands, and both adapted to theirs brilliantly. The raw numbers read 230 goals in 600 outings for Ruud Gullit (0.38/game), versus 220 in 500 for Teófilo Cubillas (0.44/game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Ruud Gullit is credited with 100 and Teófilo Cubillas with 0. Ruud Gullit departs the game with 7 major pieces of silverware, including 1× UEFA European Championship (1988); Teófilo Cubillas with 4, including 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978). Across the 1980s and the 1970s respectively, their clinical and orchestrating styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Ruud Gullit's landmark level arrived around 1988 with a career spanning HFC Haarlem, Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, Sampdoria, AC Milan, Chelsea; Teófilo Cubillas's came around 1978 across Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
188 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
The dreadlocked 1987 Ballon d'Or winner, Gullit captained the Netherlands to their only major title at Euro 1988 and formed part of AC Milan's all-conquering 'Dutch trio'.
“A powerful, technically brilliant all-rounder equally dangerous as a target man, playmaker, or even at centre-back.”
Peru's greatest ever player, Cubillas remains the only man to score five goals across two separate World Cups, inspiring Peru's celebrated 1978 side.
“A quick, two-footed attacking midfielder renowned for a ferocious long-range shot and clever dribbling in tight spaces.”
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× UEFA European Championship (1988)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1989, 1990)
- 3× Serie A (1988, 1992, 1993)
- 1× FA Cup (1997)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1979 Professional debut for HFC Haarlem
- 1988 Won UEFA European Championship with AC Milan
- 1997 Won FA Cup with Chelsea
- 1988 Reached the peak of his powers at AC Milan
- 1998 Retired after a final spell at Chelsea
- Finished his career with 230 goals in 600 appearances and 7 major honours. Finished his career with 230 goals in 600 appearances and 7 major honours.
- 1966 Professional debut for Alianza Lima
- 1967 Won Peruvian Primera División with Alianza Lima
- 1978 Reached the peak of his powers at Alianza Lima
- 1989 Retired after a final spell at Alianza Lima
- Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Ruud Gullit is the choice: a decisive margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
Ruud Gullit edges it (a decisive margin)
