George Weah vs Franco Baresi: Stats Compared
Striker, Liberia (born 1966, retired 2003) · Sweeper / Centre-Back, Italy (born 1960, retired 1997)
When George Weah and Franco Baresi are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Honours are what separate great players from trophy-laden legends, and both qualify. By the end George Weah had 230 goals from 460 caps and club outings; Franco Baresi had 19 from 800. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, George Weah is credited with 60 and Franco Baresi with 0. In major honours George Weah collected 3 — headlined by 2× Serie A (1996, 1999) — whereas Franco Baresi amassed 18, led by 3× European Cup (1989, 1990, 1994). George Weah built his medal haul through years of clinical consistency, while Franco Baresi won his with rugged bursts of brilliance. Club journeys add another layer, with George Weah reaching his representative peak around 1995 across Tonnerre Yaoundé, Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City, Marseille, Al Jazira and Franco Baresi doing so around 1989 with AC Milan. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
183 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
The only African and Liberian ever to win the Ballon d'Or, Weah was a rare striker capable of running the length of the pitch to score, before later becoming Liberia's president.
“A powerful, quick target man with surprising close control, famous for driving solo runs the length of the field.”
AC Milan icon who spent his entire 20-year career at the club; three-time European Cup winner and 1994 World Cup finalist with Italy.
“A peerless sweeper whose reading, tackling and leadership built a defensive dynasty at Milan.”
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
- 2× Serie A (1996, 1999)
- 1× Coupe de France (1991)
- 3× European Cup (1989, 1990, 1994)
- 6× Serie A (1979, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996)
- 4× Supercoppa Italiana
- 3× UEFA Super Cup
- 2× Intercontinental Cup (1989, 1990)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1986 Professional debut for Tonnerre Yaoundé
- 1996 Won Serie A with AC Milan
- 1991 Won Coupe de France with Monaco
- 1995 Reached the peak of his powers at Paris Saint-Germain
- 2003 Retired after a final spell at Al Jazira
- Finished his career with 230 goals in 460 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 230 goals in 460 appearances and 3 major honours.
- 1977 AC Milan debut aged 17
- 1979 First Scudetto with Milan
- 1980 Stayed at Milan in Serie B after the betting scandal
- 1989 First European Cup with Milan
- 1994 Won the Champions League conceding just 15 goals in 30 league games
- 1997 Retired aged 37 with the number 6 shirt retired in his honour
The verdict
The numbers give Franco Baresi the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a weightier trophy cabinet.
Franco Baresi edges it (a decisive margin)
