Kaká vs Andrea Pirlo: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Brazil (born 1982, retired 2017) · Central / Attacking Midfielder, Italy (born 1979, retired 2017)
Kaká versus Andrea Pirlo is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. On production alone, Kaká posted 237 goals across 594 appearances while Andrea Pirlo managed 73 across 728. 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 Andrea Pirlo with 80. The honours ledger favours Kaká with 6 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (2002)) against Andrea Pirlo's 13 (1× FIFA World Cup (2006)). As a attacking midfielder Kaká bent the role to a silky template; as a central / attacking midfielder, Andrea Pirlo redefined it with silky authority. The wider career context matters too: Kaká peaked around 2007 after representing São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Orlando City, while Andrea Pirlo's defining level came around 2006 across Brescia, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, New York City FC. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
171 words · comparison angle: role
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.”
Italian playmaker and World Cup winner; six-time Serie A champion and two-time Champions League winner.
“A deep-lying regista whose passing range and free-kick craft orchestrated Italy and Juventus for a decade.”
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 (2006)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (2003, 2007)
- 6× Serie A
- 2× Coppa Italia
- 2× UEFA Super Cup (2003, 2007)
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 Brescia debut aged 16
- 1998 Signed for Inter Milan but failed to break through
- 2001 Joined AC Milan and his career took off
- 2006 World Cup winner with Italy
- 2011 Free transfer to Juventus
- 2014 Set a Serie A points record with Juventus
- 2015 Joined MLS side New York City FC
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Andrea Pirlo takes the verdict — a narrow margin, driven by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Andrea Pirlo edges it (a narrow margin)
