Zlatan Ibrahimović vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Striker, Sweden (born 1981, retired 2023) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
Zlatan Ibrahimović against Teófilo Cubillas is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Where pure finishing is concerned, this is a shootout between two of the most feared marksmen of their time. Across his senior career Zlatan Ibrahimović notched 573 goals in 812 appearances (0.71 per game), while Teófilo Cubillas recorded 220 in 500 (0.44 per game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Zlatan Ibrahimović is credited with 172 and Teófilo Cubillas with 0. The honours ledger favours Zlatan Ibrahimović with 9 major trophies (1× Eredivisie (2004)) against Teófilo Cubillas's 4 (4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)). Their finishing mirrored their personalities: Zlatan Ibrahimović clinical, Teófilo Cubillas dictatorial. The wider career context matters too: Zlatan Ibrahimović peaked around 2013 after representing Malmö FF, Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, while Teófilo Cubillas's defining level came around 1978 across Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
193 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
A towering, unmistakably confident Swedish striker who scored trademark bicycle-kick and outrageous long-range goals across four of Europe's top five leagues.
“A physically dominant, technically audacious striker equally comfortable finishing simply or scoring wonder goals from acrobatic positions.”
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× Eredivisie (2004)
- 4× Serie A (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 4× Ligue 1 (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1999 Professional debut for Malmö FF
- 2004 Won Eredivisie with Ajax
- 2013 Won Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain
- 2013 Reached the peak of his powers at Paris Saint-Germain
- 2023 Retired after a final spell at AC Milan
- Finished his career with 573 goals in 812 appearances and 9 major honours. Finished his career with 573 goals in 812 appearances and 9 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
The numbers give Zlatan Ibrahimović the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Zlatan Ibrahimović edges it (a decisive margin)
