George Best vs David Silva: Stats Compared
Winger / Forward, Northern Ireland (born 1946, retired 1984) · Attacking Midfielder, Spain (born 1986, retired 2023)
Ask any fan to rank George Best above or below David Silva and you will get a passionate answer. They belonged to different eras, which makes any direct comparison a test of imagination as much as statistics. Career output puts George Best at 214 goals in 616 games, with David Silva at 124 in 771. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. George Best departs the game with 5 major pieces of silverware, including 1× European Cup (1968); David Silva with 9, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2010). Across the post-war golden age and the modern era respectively, their ruthless and orchestrating styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. The wider career context matters too: George Best peaked around 1968 after representing Manchester United, Fulham, others, while David Silva's defining level came around 2012 across Valencia, Manchester City, Real Sociedad. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
172 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Northern Irish winger and Manchester United icon; Ballon d'Or winner in 1968 after helping Manchester United win their first European Cup.
“A balance-perfect winger who combined dribbling flair with an eye for goal and a rock-star aura.”
David Josué Jiménez Silva (born 8 January 1986) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played mainly as a central or an attacking midfielder and occasionally as a winger or second striker. Widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation and among the greatest players in Premier League history, he was known for his balance, ball control and agility in close spaces, combined with his skill, composure, passing and flair on the ball. Silva spent seven years of his professional career with Valencia, playing from 2004 to 2010, and won the Copa del Rey in 2008.
“A pocket-sized conductor whose close control and passing gave Manchester City its early rhythm.”
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× European Cup (1968)
- 2× English First Division (1965, 1967)
- 2× FA Charity Shield (1965, 1967)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2010)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1963 Manchester United debut aged 17
- 1965 First English First Division title
- 1968 European Cup winner and Ballon d'Or winner
- 1968 Joint top scorer in the First Division
- 1972 Brief retirement then return to Manchester United
- 1974 Left Manchester United
- 1984 Made final professional appearances in the United States
- 2004 Established himself at Valencia
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but David Silva wins out by a clear margin on the weight of a weightier trophy cabinet.
David Silva edges it (a clear margin)
