David Silva vs Hidetoshi Nakata: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Spain (born 1986, retired 2023) · Attacking Midfielder, Japan (born 1977, retired 2006)
Comparing David Silva with Hidetoshi Nakata means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Their jobs on the pitch were not the same, yet both redefined what their role could be. David Silva finishes with 124 career goals from 771 games — a 0.16 strike rate — against Hidetoshi Nakata's 60 from 400 at 0.15 per match. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, David Silva is credited with 0 and Hidetoshi Nakata with 60. The honours ledger favours David Silva with 9 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (2010)) against Hidetoshi Nakata's 1 (1× Serie A (2001)). The attacking midfielder duties of David Silva leaned dictatorial; the attacking midfielder responsibilities of Hidetoshi Nakata leaned orchestrating. Club journeys add another layer, with David Silva reaching his representative peak around 2012 across Valencia, Manchester City, Real Sociedad and Hidetoshi Nakata doing so around 2001 with Bellmare Hiratsuka, Perugia, Roma, Parma, Bologna, Fiorentina, Bolton Wanderers. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
180 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
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.”
The first Japanese footballer to become a global superstar, Nakata's move to Serie A in 1998 opened the door for a generation of Japanese players in Europe.
“A composed, technically excellent attacking midfielder blessed with an outstanding range of passing and shooting from distance.”
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)
- 1× Serie A (2001)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Valencia
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
- 1995 Professional debut for Bellmare Hiratsuka
- 2001 Won Serie A with Roma
- 2001 Reached the peak of his powers at Roma
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Bolton Wanderers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 400 appearances and 1 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 400 appearances and 1 major honours.
The verdict
On balance David Silva edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
David Silva edges it (a decisive margin)
