Rivelino vs Carlos Tevez: Stats Compared
Left Midfielder, Brazil (born 1946, retired 1981) · Striker, Argentina (born 1984, retired 2021)
Rivelino against Carlos Tevez is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Era matters in any comparison, and these two peaked under very different footballing conditions. Career output puts Rivelino at 238 goals in 624 games, with Carlos Tevez at 280 in 700. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Rivelino is listed at 0 and Carlos Tevez at 90 where figures survive. Rivelino departs the game with 8 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1970); Carlos Tevez with 5, including 1× Premier League (2012). Across the 1970s and the modern era respectively, their orchestrating and ruthless styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Club journeys add another layer, with Rivelino reaching his representative peak around 1970 across Corinthians, Fluminense, Al-Hilal and Carlos Tevez doing so around 2011 with Boca Juniors, Corinthians, West Ham United, Manchester United, Manchester City, Juventus, Boca Juniors, Shanghai Shenhua, Boca Juniors. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
179 words · comparison angle: era
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.”
A tenacious, street-smart Argentine striker known as 'El Apache', beloved for his relentless work rate and hunger for goals.
“A combative, low-centre-of-gravity forward who pressed relentlessly and thrived on scrappy, instinctive finishes.”
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× Premier League (2012)
- 2× Serie A (2014, 2015)
- 1× Copa Libertadores (2003)
- 1× Argentine Primera División (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
- 2001 Professional debut for Boca Juniors
- 2012 Won Premier League with Manchester City
- 2003 Won Argentine Primera División with Boca Juniors
- 2011 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester City
- 2021 Retired after a final spell at Boca Juniors
- Finished his career with 280 goals in 700 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 280 goals in 700 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Rivelino the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a weightier trophy cabinet.
Rivelino edges it (a clear margin)
