Kaká vs Hidetoshi Nakata: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Brazil (born 1982, retired 2017) · Attacking Midfielder, Japan (born 1977, retired 2006)
Kaká versus Hidetoshi Nakata is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Different decades shaped different demands, and both adapted to theirs brilliantly. Career output puts Kaká at 237 goals in 594 games, with Hidetoshi Nakata at 60 in 400. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Kaká is credited with 0 and Hidetoshi Nakata with 60. The honours ledger favours Kaká with 6 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (2002)) against Hidetoshi Nakata's 1 (1× Serie A (2001)). Kaká belonged to the turn of the millennium, dominating with a orchestrating quality; Hidetoshi Nakata rose in the turn of the millennium with a dictatorial edge. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Kaká's landmark level arrived around 2007 with a career spanning São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Orlando City; Hidetoshi Nakata's came around 2001 across Bellmare Hiratsuka, Perugia, Roma, Parma, Bologna, Fiorentina, Bolton Wanderers. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
171 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.”
The first Japanese footballer to become a global superstar, Nakata's move to Serie A in 1998 opened the door for a generation of Japanese players in Europe.
“A composed, technically excellent attacking midfielder blessed with an outstanding range of passing and shooting from distance.”
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× Serie A (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
- 1995 Professional debut for Bellmare Hiratsuka
- 2001 Won Serie A with Roma
- 2001 Reached the peak of his powers at Roma
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Bolton Wanderers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 400 appearances and 1 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 400 appearances and 1 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Kaká the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Kaká edges it (a decisive margin)
