Pelé vs David Trezeguet: Stats Compared
Forward, Brazil (born 1940, retired 1977) · Striker, France (born 1977, retired 2013)
Comparing Pelé with David Trezeguet means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Legacy is the only real measure that outlives the numbers, and both have staked towering claims. Pelé finishes with 757 career goals from 812 games — a 0.93 strike rate — against David Trezeguet's 260 from 620 at 0.42 per match. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Pelé is listed at 0 and David Trezeguet at 60 where figures survive. In major honours Pelé collected 14 — headlined by 3× FIFA World Cup (1958, 1962, 1970) — whereas David Trezeguet amassed 5, led by 1× FIFA World Cup (1998). History will file Pelé under predatory greatness and David Trezeguet under mercurial greatness — different shelves, same temple. Club journeys add another layer, with Pelé reaching his representative peak around 1970 across Santos, New York Cosmos and David Trezeguet doing so around 2000 with Monaco, Juventus, Hércules CF, Baniyas, River Plate. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
177 words · comparison angle: legacy
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.”
The scorer of the golden-goal winner in the Euro 2000 final, Trezeguet was Juventus's record signing and one of the deadliest strikers of his generation.
“A powerful, clinical striker with an excellent aerial game and a ferocious shot from inside the box.”
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)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1998)
- 1× UEFA European Championship (2000)
- 1× Ligue 1 (2000)
- 2× Serie A (2002, 2003)
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
- 1995 Professional debut for Monaco
- 1998 Won FIFA World Cup with Monaco
- 2002 Won Serie A with Juventus
- 2000 Reached the peak of his powers at Monaco
- 2013 Retired after a final spell at River Plate
- Finished his career with 260 goals in 620 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 260 goals in 620 appearances and 5 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)
