Gianluigi Buffon vs Andrea Pirlo: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Italy (born 1978, retired 2023) · Central / Attacking Midfielder, Italy (born 1979, retired 2017)
When Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. They occupied different roles, which makes a like-for-like verdict a careful exercise. On production alone, Gianluigi Buffon posted 1 goals across 1147 appearances while Andrea Pirlo managed 73 across 728. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Gianluigi Buffon is listed at 0 and Andrea Pirlo at 80 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Gianluigi Buffon 15 and Andrea Pirlo 13, with 1× FIFA World Cup (2006) and 1× FIFA World Cup (2006) the standout honours respectively. As a goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon bent the role to a authoritative template; as a central / attacking midfielder, Andrea Pirlo redefined it with silky authority. The wider career context matters too: Gianluigi Buffon peaked around 2006 after representing Parma, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Parma, while Andrea Pirlo's defining level came around 2006 across Brescia, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, New York City FC. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
177 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
Italian goalkeeper and the most capped Italian player of all time; 2006 World Cup winner and ten-time Serie A champion.
“An authoritative, athletic keeper whose longevity made him the most-capped goalkeeper in history.”
Italian playmaker and World Cup winner; six-time Serie A champion and two-time Champions League winner.
“A deep-lying regista whose passing range and free-kick craft orchestrated Italy and Juventus for a decade.”
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× FIFA World Cup (2006)
- 10× Serie A
- 2× Coppa Italia
- 1× UEFA Cup (1999)
- 1× Ligue 1 (2019)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2006)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (2003, 2007)
- 6× Serie A
- 2× Coppa Italia
- 2× UEFA Super Cup (2003, 2007)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1995 Parma debut
- 2001 World-record keeper transfer to Juventus
- 2003 Lost the Champions League final on penalties
- 2006 World Cup winner with Italy
- 2018 Joined Paris Saint-Germain
- 2019 Returned to Juventus
- 2023 Scored a career goal for Parma in Serie B
- 1995 Brescia debut aged 16
- 1998 Signed for Inter Milan but failed to break through
- 2001 Joined AC Milan and his career took off
- 2006 World Cup winner with Italy
- 2011 Free transfer to Juventus
- 2014 Set a Serie A points record with Juventus
- 2015 Joined MLS side New York City FC
The verdict
If forced to pick, Andrea Pirlo is the choice: a clear margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Andrea Pirlo edges it (a clear margin)
