Francesco Totti vs Teófilo Cubillas: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder / Forward, Italy (born 1976, retired 2017) · Attacking Midfielder, Peru (born 1949, retired 1989)
The Francesco Totti–Teófilo Cubillas comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Strip away the highlights and the medal count tells its own story for each man. Across his senior career Francesco Totti notched 316 goals in 844 appearances (0.37 per game), while Teófilo Cubillas recorded 220 in 500 (0.44 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Francesco Totti is listed at 152 and Teófilo Cubillas at 0 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Francesco Totti 6 and Teófilo Cubillas 4, with 1× FIFA World Cup (2006) and 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978) the standout honours respectively. One lifted trophies through predatory reliability, the other through incisive moments that decided finals. Their routes to the top were distinct: Francesco Totti built his reputation across Roma, peaking around 2001, while Teófilo Cubillas reached his defining level around 1978 after spells with Alianza Lima, FC Basel, Alianza Lima, FC Porto, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Alianza Lima. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
184 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
One-club legend for Roma, their all-time top scorer and appearance maker; 2006 World Cup winner.
“A one-club fantasy playmaker with vision, no-look passes and lethal late runs into the box.”
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× FIFA World Cup (2006)
- 1× Serie A (2001)
- 2× Coppa Italia (2007, 2008)
- 2× Supercoppa Italiana (2001, 2007)
- 4× Peruvian Primera División (1967, 1969, 1970, 1978)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1993 Roma debut aged 16
- 2001 Won Serie A with Roma, their only title in decades
- 2006 World Cup winner with Italy
- 2006 Stayed at Roma despite Calciopoli fallout
- 2011 Won the European Golden Shoe
- 2014 Became Roma's all-time top scorer
- 2017 Emotional retirement after 25 years at Roma
- 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
Reasonable people will disagree, but Francesco Totti wins out by a decisive margin on the weight of a sharper goalscoring record.
Francesco Totti edges it (a decisive margin)
