Sergio Agüero vs Ivan Rakitić: Stats Compared
Striker, Argentina (born 1988, retired 2021) · Central Midfielder, Croatia (born 1988, retired 2023)
The Sergio Agüero–Ivan Rakitić comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Position shapes everything in football, and these two fulfilled very different briefs. By the end Sergio Agüero had 427 goals from 700 caps and club outings; Ivan Rakitić had 90 from 700. Add playmaking to the mix and Sergio Agüero laid on 110 goals, Ivan Rakitić 90. Sergio Agüero departs the game with 10 major pieces of silverware, including 5× Premier League (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021); Ivan Rakitić with 6, including 1× UEFA Champions League (2015). As a striker Sergio Agüero bent the role to a mercurial template; as a central midfielder, Ivan Rakitić redefined it with silky authority. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Sergio Agüero's landmark level arrived around 2014 with a career spanning Independiente, Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, Barcelona; Ivan Rakitić's came around 2015 across Basel, Schalke 04, Sevilla, Barcelona, Sevilla, Hajduk Split. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
163 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
A clinical, ice-cool Argentine striker who scored Manchester City's most dramatic title-winning goal and became the club's all-time top scorer.
“A low, powerful, instinctive finisher with explosive acceleration in the box and a knack for the biggest moments.”
A key architect of Barcelona's 2015 treble and Croatia's run to the 2018 World Cup final, Rakitić combined tireless work rate with excellent passing range.
“A tireless, technically composed box-to-box midfielder whose range of passing linked defence and attack seamlessly.”
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
- 5× Premier League (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021)
- 1× UEFA Europa League (2010)
- 4× League Cup (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2015)
- 1× UEFA Europa League (2014)
- 4× La Liga (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2003 Professional debut for Independiente
- 2012 Won Premier League with Manchester City
- 2014 Won League Cup with Manchester City
- 2014 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester City
- 2021 Retired after a final spell at Barcelona
- Finished his career with 427 goals in 700 appearances and 10 major honours. Finished his career with 427 goals in 700 appearances and 10 major honours.
- 2005 Professional debut for Basel
- 2015 Won UEFA Champions League with Barcelona
- 2015 Won La Liga with Barcelona
- 2015 Reached the peak of his powers at Barcelona
- 2023 Retired after a final spell at Hajduk Split
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Sergio Agüero is the choice: a clear margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Sergio Agüero edges it (a clear margin)
