Jairzinho vs Predrag Mijatović: Stats Compared
Right Winger, Brazil (born 1944, retired 1982) · Striker, Yugoslavia (born 1969, retired 2004)
Jairzinho against Predrag Mijatović is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Their jobs on the pitch were not the same, yet both redefined what their role could be. The raw numbers read 350 goals in 650 outings for Jairzinho (0.54/game), versus 210 in 500 for Predrag Mijatović (0.42/game). The assist columns read 60 for Jairzinho and 30 for Predrag Mijatović where the record exists. Jairzinho departs the game with 5 major pieces of silverware, including 2× FIFA World Cup (1962, 1970); Predrag Mijatović with 2, including 1× UEFA Champions League (1998). As a right winger Jairzinho bent the role to a mercurial template; as a striker, Predrag Mijatović redefined it with predatory authority. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Jairzinho's landmark level arrived around 1970 with a career spanning Botafogo, Marseille, Cruzeiro, Portuguesa, Noroeste; Predrag Mijatović's came around 1998 across Budućnost Podgorica, Partizan, Valencia CF, Real Madrid, Fiorentina, Levante. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
169 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
The only man to score in every match of a World Cup-winning campaign (1970), Jairzinho was the explosive right winger of Brazil's most celebrated side.
“A powerful, direct winger who combined electric pace with a thunderous shot, terrorising full-backs down the right flank.”
Mijatović's decisive winning goal in the 1998 Champions League final ended Real Madrid's 32-year wait for the European Cup and remains one of the club's most iconic moments.
“A clever, mobile striker whose intelligent runs in behind and composed finishing produced goals in the biggest moments.”
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 (1962, 1970)
- 3× Campeonato Carioca (1962, 1967, 1968)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (1998)
- 1× La Liga (1997)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1959 Professional debut for Botafogo
- 1962 Won FIFA World Cup with Botafogo
- 1962 Won Campeonato Carioca with Botafogo
- 1970 Reached the peak of his powers at Botafogo
- 1982 Retired after a final spell at Noroeste
- Finished his career with 350 goals in 650 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 350 goals in 650 appearances and 5 major honours.
- 1986 Professional debut for Budućnost Podgorica
- 1998 Won UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid
- 1997 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Levante
- Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Jairzinho is the choice: a decisive margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Jairzinho edges it (a decisive margin)
