Alan Shearer vs Elías Figueroa: Stats Compared
Striker, England (born 1970, retired 2006) · Centre-Back, Chile (born 1946, retired 1982)
Alan Shearer and Elías Figueroa represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Different decades shaped different demands, and both adapted to theirs brilliantly. By the end Alan Shearer had 409 goals from 733 caps and club outings; Elías Figueroa had 40 from 600. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Alan Shearer departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× Premier League (1995); Elías Figueroa with 5, including 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968). Across the 1990s and the 1970s respectively, their clinical and anticipatory styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. The wider career context matters too: Alan Shearer peaked around 1995 after representing Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United, while Elías Figueroa's defining level came around 1974 across Santiago Wanderers, Peñarol, Internacional, Palestino, Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
169 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Alan Shearer (born 13 August 1970) is an English football pundit and former professional player who played as a striker. Widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time and one of the greatest players in Premier League history, he is the league's record goalscorer with 260 goals. He was named Football Writers' Association Player of the Year in 1994 and won the PFA Player of the Year award in 1995.
“A record-breaking number nine who combined brutal finishing with clever hold-up play.”
A three-time South American Footballer of the Year, Figueroa is widely considered the finest defender the continent has produced, marshalling Internacional's dominant 1970s side.
“An imperious, elegant centre-back who combined aerial dominance with composed distribution well ahead of his era.”
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× Premier League (1995)
- 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968)
- 3× Campeonato Gaúcho (1973, 1974, 1975)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1987 Established himself at Southampton
- 1991 Reached his defining peak
- 1995 Delivered a landmark season
- 2006 Retired from professional football
- 1965 Professional debut for Santiago Wanderers
- 1967 Won Uruguayan Primera División with Peñarol
- 1973 Won Campeonato Gaúcho with Internacional
- 1974 Reached the peak of his powers at Internacional
- 1982 Retired after a final spell at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Alan Shearer takes it by a decisive margin.
Alan Shearer edges it (a decisive margin)
