Rudi Völler vs Elías Figueroa: Stats Compared
Striker, Germany (born 1960, retired 1996) · Centre-Back, Chile (born 1946, retired 1982)
Line up Rudi Völler next to Elías Figueroa and the contrasts come quickly. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. Career output puts Rudi Völler at 220 goals in 480 games, with Elías Figueroa at 40 in 600. Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. Rudi Völler departs the game with 3 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1990); Elías Figueroa with 5, including 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968). As a striker Rudi Völler bent the role to a ruthless template; as a centre-back, Elías Figueroa redefined it with resolute authority. The wider career context matters too: Rudi Völler peaked around 1990 after representing Kickers Offenbach, Werder Bremen, Roma, Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, while Elías Figueroa's defining level came around 1974 across Santiago Wanderers, Peñarol, Internacional, Palestino, Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
168 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
A stylish, quick German striker best remembered for his acrobatic assist to Andreas Brehme's decisive touch and clinical finishing that fired West Germany to the 1990 World Cup.
“A mobile, technically gifted striker with a flair for delicate flicks and precise, first-time finishing.”
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× FIFA World Cup (1990)
- 1× Coppa Italia (1991)
- 1× Ligue 1 (1993)
- 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968)
- 3× Campeonato Gaúcho (1973, 1974, 1975)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1977 Professional debut for Kickers Offenbach
- 1990 Won FIFA World Cup with Roma
- 1993 Won Ligue 1 with Marseille
- 1990 Reached the peak of his powers at Roma
- 1996 Retired after a final spell at Bayer Leverkusen
- Finished his career with 220 goals in 480 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 220 goals in 480 appearances and 3 major honours.
- 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
On balance Elías Figueroa edges the comparison. The margin is a narrow margin, decided mostly by remarkable longevity.
Elías Figueroa edges it (a narrow margin)
