Fabio Cannavaro vs David Trezeguet: Stats Compared
Centre-Back, Italy (born 1973, retired 2011) · Striker, France (born 1977, retired 2013)
Fabio Cannavaro and David Trezeguet represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Era matters in any comparison, and these two peaked under very different footballing conditions. By the end Fabio Cannavaro had 23 goals from 790 caps and club outings; David Trezeguet had 260 from 620. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Fabio Cannavaro is credited with 0 and David Trezeguet with 60. The honours ledger favours Fabio Cannavaro with 7 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (2006)) against David Trezeguet's 5 (1× FIFA World Cup (1998)). Fabio Cannavaro belonged to the turn of the millennium, dominating with a resolute quality; David Trezeguet rose in the turn of the millennium with a flair-driven edge. The wider career context matters too: Fabio Cannavaro peaked around 2006 after representing Napoli, Parma, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid, Al-Ahli, while David Trezeguet's defining level came around 2000 across Monaco, Juventus, Hércules CF, Baniyas, River Plate. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
185 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Italian defender who captained Italy to the 2006 World Cup; 2006 Ballon d'Or winner, the last defender to win the award.
“A short-but-vocal centre-back whose anticipation and bravery won him the Ballon d'Or as a defender.”
The scorer of the golden-goal winner in the Euro 2000 final, Trezeguet was Juventus's record signing and one of the deadliest strikers of his generation.
“A powerful, clinical striker with an excellent aerial game and a ferocious shot from inside the box.”
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)
- 2× La Liga (2007, 2008)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1999)
- 2× Coppa Italia (1999, 2002)
- 1× Supercoppa Italiana (1999)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1998)
- 1× UEFA European Championship (2000)
- 1× Ligue 1 (2000)
- 2× Serie A (2002, 2003)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1993 Napoli debut aged 19
- 1995 Joined Parma, defensive partnership with Thuram and Buffon
- 2002 Joined Inter Milan
- 2004 Signed for Juventus
- 2006 Joined Real Madrid after Calciopoli
- 2009 Returned to Juventus briefly
- 2011 Retired at Al-Ahli in Dubai
- 1995 Professional debut for Monaco
- 1998 Won FIFA World Cup with Monaco
- 2002 Won Serie A with Juventus
- 2000 Reached the peak of his powers at Monaco
- 2013 Retired after a final spell at River Plate
- Finished his career with 260 goals in 620 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 260 goals in 620 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Fabio Cannavaro edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by remarkable longevity.
Fabio Cannavaro edges it (a decisive margin)
