Matthias Sammer vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Sweeper, Germany (born 1967, retired 1998) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
The Matthias Sammer–Teófilo Cubillas comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Different decades shaped different demands, and both adapted to theirs brilliantly. Across his senior career Matthias Sammer notched 70 goals in 400 appearances (0.18 per game), while Teófilo Cubillas recorded 220 in 500 (0.44 per game). Assists were never formally recorded across most of their eras, so the playmaking dimension has to be judged on reputation and highlights rather than hard totals. The honours ledger favours Matthias Sammer with 4 major trophies (1× UEFA European Championship (1996)) against Teófilo Cubillas's 4 (4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)). Across the 1990s and the 1970s respectively, their rugged and creative styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. The wider career context matters too: Matthias Sammer peaked around 1996 after representing Dynamo Dresden, VfB Stuttgart, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, while Teófilo Cubillas's defining level came around 1978 across Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
177 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
The 1996 Ballon d'Or winner, Sammer redefined the sweeper role with his surging runs from defence, spearheading Borussia Dortmund's Champions League triumph.
“A dynamic, attack-minded sweeper who won the ball high up the pitch before driving forward himself.”
Peru's greatest ever player, Cubillas remains the only man to score five goals across two separate World Cups, inspiring Peru's celebrated 1978 side.
“A quick, two-footed attacking midfielder renowned for a ferocious long-range shot and clever dribbling in tight spaces.”
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× UEFA European Championship (1996)
- 2× Bundesliga (1995, 1996)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (1997)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1985 Professional debut for Dynamo Dresden
- 1996 Won UEFA European Championship with Borussia Dortmund
- 1997 Won UEFA Champions League with Borussia Dortmund
- 1996 Reached the peak of his powers at Borussia Dortmund
- 1998 Retired after a final spell at Borussia Dortmund
- Finished his career with 70 goals in 400 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 70 goals in 400 appearances and 4 major honours.
- 1966 Professional debut for Alianza Lima
- 1967 Won Peruvian Primera División with Alianza Lima
- 1978 Reached the peak of his powers at Alianza Lima
- 1989 Retired after a final spell at Alianza Lima
- Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 220 goals in 500 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Matthias Sammer edges the comparison. The margin is a clear margin, decided mostly by a stronger all-round attribute profile.
Matthias Sammer edges it (a clear margin)
