Pelé vs Javier Mascherano: Stats Compared
Forward, Brazil (born 1940, retired 1977) · Defensive Midfielder, Argentina (born 1984, retired 2020)
When Pelé and Javier Mascherano are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Trophies, more than goals, are how most supporters ultimately remember a career. Across his senior career Pelé notched 757 goals in 812 appearances (0.93 per game), while Javier Mascherano recorded 15 in 700 (0.02 per game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Pelé is credited with 0 and Javier Mascherano with 20. In major honours Pelé collected 14 — headlined by 3× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962, 1970) — whereas Javier Mascherano amassed 10, led by 2× UEFA Champions League (2011, 2015). One lifted trophies through ruthless reliability, the other through dictatorial moments that decided finals. Club journeys add another layer, with Pelé reaching his representative peak around 1970 across Santos, New York Cosmos and Javier Mascherano doing so around 2015 with River Plate, Corinthians, West Ham United, Liverpool, Barcelona, Hebei China Fortune, Estudiantes. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
178 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, Pelé is the only player to win three FIFA World Cups. FIFA recognises 757 official senior career goals (1,281 including friendlies).
“A two-footed, athletic forward who combined explosive pace, aerial ability and extraordinary vision.”
Nicknamed 'El Jefecito' (the little chief), Mascherano converted from a combative box-to-box midfielder into one of the finest defensive midfielders of his generation.
“A fiercely competitive ball-winner whose tackling and reading of the game let him marshal both midfield and defence.”
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
- 3× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962, 1970)
- 2× Copa Libertadores (1962, 1963)
- 2× Intercontinental Cup (1962, 1963)
- 6× Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
- 1× NASL Soccer Bowl (1977)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (2011, 2015)
- 4× La Liga (2013, 2015, 2016, 2018)
- 4× Copa del Rey (2012, 2015, 2016, 2017)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1956 Professional debut for Santos aged 15
- 1958 Became youngest World Cup goalscorer at 17
- 1959 Top scorer in the Campeonato Brasileiro
- 1962 Won second World Cup despite injury in the final
- 1969 Scored his 1,000th career goal
- 1975 Came out of semi-retirement to join New York Cosmos
- 1977 Honoured at Pelé Day halftime show at Giants Stadium
- 2003 Professional debut for River Plate
- 2011 Won UEFA Champions League with Barcelona
- 2012 Won Copa del Rey with Barcelona
- 2015 Reached the peak of his powers at Barcelona
- 2020 Retired after a final spell at Estudiantes
- Finished his career with 15 goals in 700 appearances and 10 major honours. Finished his career with 15 goals in 700 appearances and 10 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Pelé edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Pelé edges it (a decisive margin)
