Rivelino vs Pavel Nedvěd: Stats Compared
Left Midfielder, Brazil (born 1946, retired 1981) · Midfielder, Czech Republic (born 1972, retired 2009)
Rivelino and Pavel Nedvěd represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Strikers are judged on goals, and on that raw currency both men delivered extraordinary returns. Across his senior career Rivelino notched 238 goals in 624 appearances (0.38 per game), while Pavel Nedvěd recorded 156 in 711 (0.22 per game). Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. In major honours Rivelino collected 8 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (1970) — whereas Pavel Nedvěd amassed 9, led by 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1999). Where Rivelino was a orchestrating presence in the box, Pavel Nedvěd offered a creative approach to goalscoring. The wider career context matters too: Rivelino peaked around 1970 after representing Corinthians, Fluminense, Al-Hilal, while Pavel Nedvěd's defining level came around 2003 across Dukla Prague, Sparta Prague, Lazio, Juventus. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
168 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Roberto Rivellino (born 1 January 1946), known mononymously as Rivellino, is a Brazilian football pundit and former player. He was a key member of Brazil’s 1970 FIFA World Cup-winning team and played as an attacking midfielder. He was renowned for his moustache, powerful long-range shooting, accurate passing, close control, dribbling and bending free kicks.
“A left-footed conductor famous for the elastico, fierce shooting and daring switches of play.”
Czech midfielder and 2003 Ballon d'Or winner; Serie A champion with Lazio and Juventus.
“A tireless attacking midfielder with explosive shooting from distance and endless running.”
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 (1970)
- 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1999)
- 1× UEFA Super Cup (1999)
- 3× Serie A (2000, 2002, 2003)
- 2× Coppa Italia (1998, 2000)
- 2× Supercoppa Italiana (2002, 2003)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1962 Established himself at Corinthians
- 1966 Reached his defining peak
- 1970 Delivered a landmark season
- 1981 Retired from professional football
- 1991 Dukla Prague debut
- 1996 Joined Lazio
- 1999 Won the Cup Winners' Cup with Lazio
- 2001 Joined Juventus as Zidane's replacement
- 2003 Ballon d'Or winner, reached the Champions League final
- 2005 Stayed at Juventus in Serie B after Calciopoli
- 2009 Retired at Juventus
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Pavel Nedvěd takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a stronger all-round attribute profile.
Pavel Nedvěd edges it (a decisive margin)
