Iker Casillas vs David Silva: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Spain (born 1981, retired 2020) · Attacking Midfielder, Spain (born 1986, retired 2023)
Line up Iker Casillas next to David Silva and the contrasts come quickly. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. Across his senior career Iker Casillas notched 0 goals in 1048 appearances (0.00 per game), while David Silva recorded 124 in 771 (0.16 per game). Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. Trophy counts give Iker Casillas 14 and David Silva 9, with 1× FIFA World Cup (2010) and 1× FIFA World Cup (2010) the standout honours respectively. Across the modern era and the modern era respectively, their sweeper-keen and silky styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Their routes to the top were distinct: Iker Casillas built his reputation across Real Madrid, Porto, peaking around 2010, while David Silva reached his defining level around 2012 after spells with Valencia, Manchester City, Real Sociedad. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
175 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Real Madrid and Spain captain who holds the record for most caps for Spain; 2010 World Cup winner and two-time European champion.
“A brave, agile shot-stopper whose reflexes carried club and country through a golden era.”
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× FIFA World Cup (2010)
- 2× UEFA European Championship (2008, 2012)
- 3× UEFA Champions League (2000, 2002, 2014)
- 5× La Liga
- 2× Copa del Rey
- 1× FIFA Club World Cup (2014)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2010)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1999 Real Madrid debut aged 18
- 2000 Champions League winner, youngest keeper in a final
- 2002 Saved the World Cup final despite nearly being dropped
- 2008 Euro winner as Spain captain
- 2012 Won a third consecutive major tournament with Spain
- 2015 Left Real Madrid for Porto
- 2020 Retired after a cardiac arrest in training
- 2004 Established himself at Valencia
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
The verdict
On balance David Silva edges the comparison. The margin is a clear margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
David Silva edges it (a clear margin)
