Miroslav Klose vs Raymond Kopa: Stats Compared
Striker, Germany (born 1978, retired 2016) · Forward, France (born 1931, retired 1967)
There is something timeless about weighing Miroslav Klose against Raymond Kopa. Greatness, in the end, is about who you inspired, and both left a footprint far beyond their own careers. On production alone, Miroslav Klose posted 318 goals across 705 appearances while Raymond Kopa managed 150 across 450. Assists were never formally recorded across most of their eras, so the playmaking dimension has to be judged on reputation and highlights rather than hard totals. Miroslav Klose departs the game with 7 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2014); Raymond Kopa with 5, including 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959). History will file Miroslav Klose under ruthless greatness and Raymond Kopa under ruthless greatness — different shelves, same temple. 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; Raymond Kopa's came around 1958 across Angers, Reims, Real Madrid, Reims. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
172 words · comparison angle: legacy
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.”
France's first football superstar and 1958 Ballon d'Or winner, Kopa won three straight European Cups alongside Di Stéfano at Real Madrid before returning to lead Reims.
“A diminutive, dazzling dribbler and creator whose vision and close control made him the conductor of every attack he played in.”
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)
- 3× European Cup (1957, 1958, 1959)
- 2× Ligue 1 (1953, 1960)
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
- 1949 Professional debut for Angers
- 1957 Won European Cup with Real Madrid
- 1953 Won Ligue 1 with Reims
- 1958 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 1967 Retired after a final spell at Reims
- Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 150 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Miroslav Klose wins out by a decisive margin on the weight of a sharper goalscoring record.
Miroslav Klose edges it (a decisive margin)
