Adriano vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Striker, Brazil (born 1982, retired 2016) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
The Adriano–Clint Dempsey comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Reputations harden into legacies, and few careers cast longer shadows than these two. The raw numbers read 190 goals in 400 outings for Adriano (0.48/game), versus 180 in 550 for Clint Dempsey (0.33/game). In chance creation, Adriano tallied 30 assists to Clint Dempsey's 90. Adriano departs the game with 4 major pieces of silverware, including 1× Copa América (2004); Clint Dempsey with 2, including 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014). Their legacies diverge in texture: Adriano is remembered as mercurial, Clint Dempsey as mercurial. The wider career context matters too: Adriano peaked around 2005 after representing Flamengo, Internazionale, São Paulo, Flamengo, Corinthians, Miami United, while Clint Dempsey's defining level came around 2012 across New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. A sound verdict has to weigh those figures alongside position, tactical responsibility, quality of opposition and the length of each player's influence at the top. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
171 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
Nicknamed 'The Emperor', Adriano was briefly considered the best striker in the world in the mid-2000s, combining brute power with surprising technique before injuries and personal struggles derailed his career.
“An immensely powerful striker whose combination of strength, pace and a ferocious shot made him briefly unplayable.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
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× Copa América (2004)
- 1× FIFA Confederations Cup (2005)
- 2× Serie A (2007, 2008)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2000 Professional debut for Flamengo
- 2004 Won Copa América with Internazionale
- 2007 Won Serie A with Internazionale
- 2005 Reached the peak of his powers at Internazionale
- 2016 Retired after a final spell at Miami United
- Finished his career with 190 goals in 400 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 190 goals in 400 appearances and 4 major honours.
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Adriano the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a stronger all-round attribute profile.
Adriano edges it (a clear margin)
