Ferenc Puskás vs Careca: Stats Compared
Forward, Hungary (born 1927, retired 1966) · Striker, Brazil (born 1960, retired 1994)
Ask any fan to rank Ferenc Puskás above or below Careca and you will get a passionate answer. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. Career output puts Ferenc Puskás at 598 goals in 621 games, with Careca at 300 in 600. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Ferenc Puskás is credited with 0 and Careca with 30. In major honours Ferenc Puskás collected 10 — headlined by 3× European Cup (1959, 1960, 1966) — whereas Careca amassed 4, led by 2× Serie A (1987, 1990). Ferenc Puskás belonged to the post-war golden age, dominating with a predatory quality; Careca rose in the 1980s with a clinical edge. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Ferenc Puskás's landmark level arrived around 1960 with a career spanning Budapest Honvéd, Real Madrid; Careca's came around 1988 across Guarani, São Paulo, Napoli, Kashima Antlers. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
179 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Hungarian legend of the Magical Magyats and a Real Madrid galáctico; scorer of 84 goals in 85 games for Hungary.
“A barrel-chested left-footed finisher whose deadly striking powered Hungary's Golden Team.”
Diego Maradona's strike partner at Napoli, Careca formed one of Serie A's most feared attacking duos, helping the club to its first two Scudetti.
“A sharp, technically excellent striker whose close combination play and clinical finishing perfectly complemented a more individualist strike partner.”
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× European Cup (1959, 1960, 1966)
- 5× La Liga
- 1× Olympic Gold Medal (1952)
- 1× Central European Cup (1953)
- 2× Serie A (1987, 1990)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1989)
- 1× Coppa Italia (1987)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1943 Budapest Honvéd debut
- 1952 Olympic champion with Hungary
- 1953 Scored twice in the 6-3 win over England at Wembley
- 1956 Fled the Hungarian Revolution
- 1958 Joined Real Madrid
- 1960 Scored four goals in the European Cup final
- 1966 Retired from playing
- 1978 Professional debut for Guarani
- 1987 Won Serie A with São Paulo
- 1987 Won Coppa Italia with São Paulo
- 1988 Reached the peak of his powers at Napoli
- 1994 Retired after a final spell at Kashima Antlers
- Finished his career with 300 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 300 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Ferenc Puskás takes it by a decisive margin.
Ferenc Puskás edges it (a decisive margin)
