David Silva vs Robert Pirès: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Spain (born 1986, retired 2023) · Winger, France (born 1973, retired 2015)
There is something timeless about weighing David Silva against Robert Pirès. Greatness, in the end, is about who you inspired, and both left a footprint far beyond their own careers. David Silva finishes with 124 career goals from 771 games — a 0.16 strike rate — against Robert Pirès's 140 from 650 at 0.22 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 Robert Pirès with 120. The honours ledger favours David Silva with 9 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (2010)) against Robert Pirès's 7 (1× FIFA World Cup (1998)). Their legacies diverge in texture: David Silva is remembered as silky, Robert Pirès as dictatorial. The wider career context matters too: David Silva peaked around 2012 after representing Valencia, Manchester City, Real Sociedad, while Robert Pirès's defining level came around 2002 across Metz, Marseille, Arsenal, Villarreal, Aston Villa. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
175 words · comparison angle: legacy
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.”
A key creative outlet in France's 1998 and 2000 triumphs, Pirès was a graceful, cutting-inside left winger central to Arsenal's unbeaten 'Invincibles' season.
“A quick, elegant winger who loved cutting inside onto his favoured right foot to shoot or thread defence-splitting passes.”
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× FIFA World Cup (1998)
- 1× UEFA European Championship (2000)
- 2× Premier League (2002, 2004)
- 3× FA Cup (2002, 2003, 2005)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Valencia
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
- 1992 Professional debut for Metz
- 1998 Won FIFA World Cup with Metz
- 2002 Won FA Cup with Arsenal
- 2002 Reached the peak of his powers at Arsenal
- 2015 Retired after a final spell at Aston Villa
- Finished his career with 140 goals in 650 appearances and 7 major honours. Finished his career with 140 goals in 650 appearances and 7 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, David Silva takes it by a clear margin.
David Silva edges it (a clear margin)
