Sócrates vs Fernando Redondo: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Brazil (born 1954, retired 1989) · Defensive Midfielder, Argentina (born 1969, retired 2004)
Ask any fan to rank Sócrates above or below Fernando Redondo and you will get a passionate answer. Strip away the highlights and the medal count tells its own story for each man. Sócrates finishes with 258 career goals from 594 games — a 0.43 strike rate — against Fernando Redondo's 30 from 450 at 0.07 per match. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Sócrates is listed at 0 and Fernando Redondo at 60 where figures survive. In major honours Sócrates collected 8 — headlined by 3× Campeonato Brasileiro Série A — whereas Fernando Redondo amassed 5, led by 2× La Liga (1995, 1997). Sócrates built his medal haul through years of intelligent consistency, while Fernando Redondo won his with intelligent bursts of brilliance. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Sócrates's landmark level arrived around 1982 with a career spanning Botafogo-SP, Corinthians, Fiorentina, Flamengo; Fernando Redondo's came around 1998 across Argentinos Juniors, Real Madrid, AC Milan. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
178 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira (19 February 1954 – 4 December 2011), simply known as Sócrates, was a Brazilian footballer who played as a midfielder. His medical degree and his political awareness, combined with style and quality of his play, earned him the nickname "Doctor Socrates". Famous for his beard and the headband he wore during the 1986 World Cup in solidarity with victims of the Mexico City earthquake, Sócrates became the "symbol of cool for a whole generation of football supporters".
“A languid playmaker whose backheels, vision and civic conviction made him unforgettable.”
A supremely elegant defensive midfielder famed for his flowing hair and a single backheel that became one of the sport's most replayed pieces of skill.
“An elegant, deep-lying playmaker who shielded the defence while dictating play with effortless long passing.”
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
- 3× Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
- 2× La Liga (1995, 1997)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1998, 2000)
- 1× Intercontinental Cup (1998)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1974 Established himself at Botafogo-SP
- 1978 Reached his defining peak
- 1982 Delivered a landmark season
- 1989 Retired from professional football
- 1987 Professional debut for Argentinos Juniors
- 1995 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Won Intercontinental Cup with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at AC Milan
- Finished his career with 30 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 30 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Sócrates edges the comparison. The margin is a clear margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Sócrates edges it (a clear margin)
