David Beckham vs Park Ji-sung: Stats Compared
Right Midfielder, England (born 1975, retired 2013) · Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014)
Line up David Beckham next to Park Ji-sung and the contrasts come quickly. Greatness, in the end, is about who you inspired, and both left a footprint far beyond their own careers. Career output puts David Beckham at 145 goals in 839 games, with Park Ji-sung at 60 in 550. Creativity tells a story too: 152 assists for David Beckham against 60 for Park Ji-sung. Trophy counts give David Beckham 13 and Park Ji-sung 5, with 1× UEFA Champions League (1999) and 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011) the standout honours respectively. Their legacies diverge in texture: David Beckham is remembered as orchestrating, Park Ji-sung as dictatorial. The wider career context matters too: David Beckham peaked around 1999 after representing Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, while Park Ji-sung's defining level came around 2008 across Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
162 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
English midfielder renowned for his crossing and free-kicks; Champions League winner with Manchester United in 1999 and six-time Premier League champion.
“A pinpoint crosser and dead-ball specialist whose right foot could deliver any ball over any distance.”
The first Asian player to win the Champions League and reach a World Cup semi-final, Park was renowned for his tireless work rate and big-game performances for Manchester United.
“A relentless, selfless box-to-box midfielder whose stamina and tactical discipline made him invaluable in the biggest matches.”
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× UEFA Champions League (1999)
- 6× Premier League
- 2× FA Cup
- 1× La Liga (2007)
- 2× MLS Cup (2011, 2012)
- 1× Ligue 1 (2013)
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1992 Manchester United debut
- 1996 Scored a goal from halfway against Wimbledon
- 1999 Treble winner with Manchester United
- 2001 Last-minute free-kick against Greece sent England to the World Cup
- 2003 Joined Real Madrid
- 2007 Moved to LA Galaxy
- 2013 Won Ligue 1 with PSG and retired
- 2000 Professional debut for Kyoto Purple Sanga
- 2007 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 2008 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 2008 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Queens Park Rangers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
On balance David Beckham edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
David Beckham edges it (a decisive margin)
