Diego Maradona vs Bebeto: Stats Compared
Forward / Playmaker, Argentina (born 1960, retired 1997) · Striker, Brazil (born 1964, retired 2005)
Comparing Diego Maradona with Bebeto means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Strikers are judged on goals, and on that raw currency both men delivered extraordinary returns. The raw numbers read 293 goals in 582 outings for Diego Maradona (0.50/game), versus 300 in 700 for Bebeto (0.43/game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Diego Maradona is listed at 0 and Bebeto at 60 where figures survive. Diego Maradona departs the game with 6 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1986); Bebeto with 4, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1994). Where Diego Maradona was a clinical presence in the box, Bebeto offered a explosive approach to goalscoring. The wider career context matters too: Diego Maradona peaked around 1986 after representing Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Newell's Old Boys, while Bebeto's defining level came around 1994 across Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Deportivo La Coruña, Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Botafogo, Al Ittihad, América-RJ. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
182 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Argentine legend who almost single-handedly led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup and transformed Napoli into Italian and European contenders.
“A low-centre-of-gravity left-footed genius whose dribbling and playmaking carried teams single-handedly.”
Famous for the 'rock the baby' goal celebration at the 1994 World Cup, Bebeto formed a lethal strike partnership with Romário in Brazil's triumphant campaign.
“A sharp, clever striker with excellent movement off the shoulder of the last defender and clinical composure in front of goal.”
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 (1986)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1989)
- 2× Serie A (1987, 1990)
- 1× Copa Italia (1987)
- 1× Argentine Primera División (1981)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1994)
- 1× Copa América (1989)
- 2× Campeonato Brasileiro (1989, 1997)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1976 Argentinos Juniors debut ten days before his 16th birthday
- 1981 Joined Boca Juniors and won the Argentine league
- 1982 World-record transfer to Barcelona
- 1984 Signed for Napoli for another world-record fee
- 1987 Led Napoli to their first ever Serie A title
- 1990 Captained Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final
- 1997 Played his final professional matches at Boca Juniors
- 1983 Professional debut for Flamengo
- 1994 Won FIFA World Cup with Deportivo La Coruña
- 1989 Won Campeonato Brasileiro with Flamengo
- 1994 Reached the peak of his powers at Deportivo La Coruña
- 2005 Retired after a final spell at América-RJ
- Finished his career with 300 goals in 700 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 300 goals in 700 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Diego Maradona wins out by a decisive margin on the weight of a stronger all-round attribute profile.
Diego Maradona edges it (a decisive margin)
