Romário vs Paul Ince: Stats Compared
Striker, Brazil (born 1966, retired 2009) · Central Midfielder, England (born 1967, retired 2006)
When Romário and Paul Ince are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Their jobs on the pitch were not the same, yet both redefined what their role could be. By the end Romário had 753 goals from 994 caps and club outings; Paul Ince had 90 from 650. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Romário is listed at 0 and Paul Ince at 60 where figures survive. In major honours Romário collected 9 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (1994) — whereas Paul Ince amassed 4, led by 2× Premier League (1993, 1994). As a striker Romário bent the role to a mercurial template; as a central midfielder, Paul Ince redefined it with intelligent authority. Their routes to the top were distinct: Romário built his reputation across PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Vasco da Gama, peaking around 1994, while Paul Ince reached his defining level around 1994 after spells with West Ham United, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Swindon Town. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
191 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
Romário de Souza Faria (born 29 January 1966), known simply as Romário, is a Brazilian politician and former professional footballer. A prolific striker renowned for clinical finishing, he is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He scored more than 700 goals for club and country and became one of only five players to score 100 goals for three different clubs.
“A compact poacher whose first touch and near-post movement were relentlessly efficient.”
The first Black player to captain England, Ince was a combative, driving midfielder at the heart of Manchester United's early Premier League dominance.
“An aggressive, all-action midfielder whose tackling and late runs into the box made him a formidable box-to-box presence.”
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 (1994)
- 2× Premier League (1993, 1994)
- 2× FA Cup (1990, 1994)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1986 Established himself at PSV Eindhoven
- 1990 Reached his defining peak
- 1994 Delivered a landmark season
- 2009 Retired from professional football
- 1986 Professional debut for West Ham United
- 1993 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 1990 Won FA Cup with Manchester United
- 1994 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Swindon Town
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Romário is the choice: a decisive margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Romário edges it (a decisive margin)
