Kaká vs Bixente Lizarazu: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Brazil (born 1982, retired 2017) · Left-Back, France (born 1969, retired 2006)
Kaká against Bixente Lizarazu is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. The raw numbers read 237 goals in 594 outings for Kaká (0.40/game), versus 15 in 600 for Bixente Lizarazu (0.03/game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Kaká is listed at 0 and Bixente Lizarazu at 30 where figures survive. In major honours Kaká collected 6 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (2002) — whereas Bixente Lizarazu amassed 7, led by 1× FIFA World Cup (1998). Kaká belonged to the turn of the millennium, dominating with a creative quality; Bixente Lizarazu rose in the turn of the millennium with a elegant edge. Club journeys add another layer, with Kaká reaching his representative peak around 2007 across São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Orlando City and Bixente Lizarazu doing so around 2001 with Bordeaux, Athletic Bilbao, Bayern Munich, Marseille. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
184 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Brazilian attacking midfielder and 2007 Ballon d'Or winner; Champions League winner with AC Milan in 2007.
“A tall, graceful attacking midfielder who glided past defenders and finished with precision.”
A world judo champion off the pitch, Lizarazu was one of the finest left-backs of his generation, winning the World Cup, European Championship and Champions League with Bayern Munich.
“A compact, combative full-back whose low centre of gravity and stamina let him bomb up and down the flank all match.”
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× FIFA World Cup (2002)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2007)
- 2× FIFA Confederations Cup (2005, 2009)
- 1× Serie A (2004)
- 1× La Liga (2012)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1998)
- 1× UEFA European Championship (2000)
- 4× Bundesliga (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2001)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2001 São Paulo breakthrough
- 2002 World Cup winner (limited role)
- 2003 Signed for AC Milan
- 2005 Lost the Champions League final in Istanbul
- 2007 Champions League winner and Ballon d'Or winner
- 2009 Record transfer to Real Madrid
- 2017 Retired at Orlando City
- 1988 Professional debut for Bordeaux
- 1998 Won FIFA World Cup with Bayern Munich
- 2001 Won UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich
- 2001 Reached the peak of his powers at Bayern Munich
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Marseille
- Finished his career with 15 goals in 600 appearances and 7 major honours. Finished his career with 15 goals in 600 appearances and 7 major honours.
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Kaká wins out by a decisive margin on the weight of a sharper goalscoring record.
Kaká edges it (a decisive margin)
