Predrag Mijatović vs Elías Figueroa: Stats Compared
Striker, Yugoslavia (born 1969, retired 2004) · Centre-Back, Chile (born 1946, retired 1982)
Comparing Predrag Mijatović with Elías Figueroa means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. Across his senior career Predrag Mijatović notched 210 goals in 500 appearances (0.42 per game), while Elías Figueroa recorded 40 in 600 (0.07 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Predrag Mijatović is listed at 30 and Elías Figueroa at 0 where figures survive. Predrag Mijatović departs the game with 2 major pieces of silverware, including 1× UEFA Champions League (1998); Elías Figueroa with 5, including 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968). Predrag Mijatović scored with a flair-driven that defined his era, while Elías Figueroa's finishing carried a commanding all of its own. Their routes to the top were distinct: Predrag Mijatović built his reputation across Budućnost Podgorica, Partizan, Valencia CF, Real Madrid, Fiorentina, Levante, peaking around 1998, while Elías Figueroa reached his defining level around 1974 after spells with Santiago Wanderers, Peñarol, Internacional, Palestino, Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
192 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Mijatović's decisive winning goal in the 1998 Champions League final ended Real Madrid's 32-year wait for the European Cup and remains one of the club's most iconic moments.
“A clever, mobile striker whose intelligent runs in behind and composed finishing produced goals in the biggest moments.”
A three-time South American Footballer of the Year, Figueroa is widely considered the finest defender the continent has produced, marshalling Internacional's dominant 1970s side.
“An imperious, elegant centre-back who combined aerial dominance with composed distribution well ahead of his era.”
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× UEFA Champions League (1998)
- 1× La Liga (1997)
- 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968)
- 3× Campeonato Gaúcho (1973, 1974, 1975)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1986 Professional debut for Budućnost Podgorica
- 1998 Won UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid
- 1997 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Levante
- Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours.
- 1965 Professional debut for Santiago Wanderers
- 1967 Won Uruguayan Primera División with Peñarol
- 1973 Won Campeonato Gaúcho with Internacional
- 1974 Reached the peak of his powers at Internacional
- 1982 Retired after a final spell at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Elías Figueroa is the choice: a clear margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
Elías Figueroa edges it (a clear margin)
