Gianluigi Buffon vs Juan Román Riquelme: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Italy (born 1978, retired 2023) · Attacking Midfielder, Argentina (born 1978, retired 2015)
Set Gianluigi Buffon alongside Juan Román Riquelme and the numbers start an argument of their own. Position shapes everything in football, and these two fulfilled very different briefs. On production alone, Gianluigi Buffon posted 1 goals across 1147 appearances while Juan Román Riquelme managed 130 across 550. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Gianluigi Buffon is listed at 0 and Juan Román Riquelme at 100 where figures survive. Gianluigi Buffon departs the game with 15 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2006); Juan Román Riquelme with 8, including 3× Copa Libertadores (2000, 2001, 2007). As a goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon bent the role to a commanding template; as a attacking midfielder, Juan Román Riquelme redefined it with orchestrating authority. Club journeys add another layer, with Gianluigi Buffon reaching his representative peak around 2006 across Parma, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Parma and Juan Román Riquelme doing so around 2007 with Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Villarreal, Boca Juniors. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
183 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.”
An unhurried, languid Argentine No.10 whose vision and close control made him the last great exponent of the classic South American enganche playmaker.
“A slow-paced but supremely elegant playmaker who dictated tempo with pinpoint passing and a low centre of gravity.”
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)
- 3× Copa Libertadores (2000, 2001, 2007)
- 2× Intercontinental Cup (2000, 2003)
- 3× Argentine Primera División (1998, 1999, 2000)
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
- 1996 Professional debut for Boca Juniors
- 2000 Won Copa Libertadores with Boca Juniors
- 1998 Won Argentine Primera División with Boca Juniors
- 2007 Reached the peak of his powers at Villarreal
- 2015 Retired after a final spell at Boca Juniors
- Finished his career with 130 goals in 550 appearances and 8 major honours. Finished his career with 130 goals in 550 appearances and 8 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Gianluigi Buffon the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a weightier trophy cabinet.
Gianluigi Buffon edges it (a clear margin)
