Esteban Cambiasso vs Per Mertesacker: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, Argentina (born 1980, retired 2016) · Centre-Back, Germany (born 1984, retired 2018)
Ask any fan to rank Esteban Cambiasso above or below Per Mertesacker and you will get a passionate answer. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. On production alone, Esteban Cambiasso posted 60 goals across 620 appearances while Per Mertesacker managed 15 across 550. Add playmaking to the mix and Esteban Cambiasso laid on 55 goals, Per Mertesacker 5. In major honours Esteban Cambiasso collected 7 — headlined by 1× UEFA Champions League (2010) — whereas Per Mertesacker amassed 4, led by 1× FIFA World Cup (2014). Esteban Cambiasso belonged to the modern era, dominating with a incisive quality; Per Mertesacker rose in the modern era with a uncompromising edge. Their routes to the top were distinct: Esteban Cambiasso built his reputation across River Plate, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Leicester City, Olympiacos, peaking around 2010, while Per Mertesacker reached his defining level around 2014 after spells with Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, Arsenal. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
174 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
A tireless, tactically astute Argentine midfielder who anchored Inter's historic 2010 treble-winning side.
“A disciplined box-to-box midfielder with excellent positional sense and a surprising eye for a spectacular long-range goal.”
A towering, calm German centre-back nicknamed 'BFG' by Arsenal fans, Mertesacker started every match of Germany's triumphant 2014 World Cup campaign.
“A commanding, positionally intelligent centre-back whose reading of the game compensated for a lack of raw pace.”
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 (2010)
- 5× Serie A (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
- 1× FIFA Club World Cup (2010)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2014)
- 3× FA Cup (2014, 2015, 2017)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1996 Professional debut for River Plate
- 2010 Won UEFA Champions League with Inter Milan
- 2010 Won FIFA Club World Cup with Inter Milan
- 2010 Reached the peak of his powers at Inter Milan
- 2016 Retired after a final spell at Olympiacos
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 620 appearances and 7 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 620 appearances and 7 major honours.
- 2001 Professional debut for Hannover 96
- 2014 Won FIFA World Cup with Arsenal
- 2014 Won FA Cup with Arsenal
- 2014 Reached the peak of his powers at Arsenal
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Arsenal
- Finished his career with 15 goals in 550 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 15 goals in 550 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Esteban Cambiasso takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a sharper goalscoring record.
Esteban Cambiasso edges it (a decisive margin)
