Miroslav Klose vs Careca: Stats Compared
Striker, Germany (born 1978, retired 2016) · Striker, Brazil (born 1960, retired 1994)
Set Miroslav Klose alongside Careca and the numbers start an argument of their own. Silverware is the currency of legacy, and both players filled cabinets that few can rival. Across his senior career Miroslav Klose notched 318 goals in 705 appearances (0.45 per game), while Careca recorded 300 in 600 (0.50 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Miroslav Klose is listed at 0 and Careca at 30 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Miroslav Klose 7 and Careca 4, with 1× FIFA World Cup (2014) and 2× Serie A (1987, 1990) the standout honours respectively. Miroslav Klose built his medal haul through years of mercurial consistency, while Careca won his with flair-driven bursts of brilliance. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Miroslav Klose's landmark level arrived around 2014 with a career spanning Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, Lazio; Careca's came around 1988 across Guarani, São Paulo, Napoli, Kashima Antlers. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
176 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
All-time FIFA World Cup top scorer with 16 goals; Germany's all-time leading goalscorer with 71 international goals.
“A selfless striker and aerial specialist whose consistency made him a World Cup great.”
Diego Maradona's strike partner at Napoli, Careca formed one of Serie A's most feared attacking duos, helping the club to its first two Scudetti.
“A sharp, technically excellent striker whose close combination play and clinical finishing perfectly complemented a more individualist strike partner.”
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 (2014)
- 2× Bundesliga (2008, 2010)
- 3× DFB-Pokal (2005, 2008, 2010)
- 1× Coppa Italia (2013)
- 2× Serie A (1987, 1990)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1989)
- 1× Coppa Italia (1987)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2000 Kaiserslautern debut
- 2002 World Cup debut, scored five headed goals
- 2007 Joined Bayern Munich
- 2011 Joined Lazio, won over fans with relentless work rate
- 2014 World Cup winner, became the all-time World Cup top scorer (16 goals)
- 2016 Retired at Lazio
- 1978 Professional debut for Guarani
- 1987 Won Serie A with São Paulo
- 1987 Won Coppa Italia with São Paulo
- 1988 Reached the peak of his powers at Napoli
- 1994 Retired after a final spell at Kashima Antlers
- Finished his career with 300 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 300 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Miroslav Klose the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a weightier trophy cabinet.
Miroslav Klose edges it (a clear margin)
