David Silva vs Andrea Pirlo: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Spain (born 1986, retired 2023) · Central / Attacking Midfielder, Italy (born 1979, retired 2017)
When David Silva and Andrea Pirlo are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Different decades shaped different demands, and both adapted to theirs brilliantly. The raw numbers read 124 goals in 771 outings for David Silva (0.16/game), versus 73 in 728 for Andrea Pirlo (0.10/game). 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 Andrea Pirlo with 80. In major honours David Silva collected 9 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (2010) — whereas Andrea Pirlo amassed 13, led by 1× FIFA World Cup (2006). David Silva belonged to the modern era, dominating with a orchestrating quality; Andrea Pirlo rose in the turn of the millennium with a creative edge. Their routes to the top were distinct: David Silva built his reputation across Valencia, Manchester City, Real Sociedad, peaking around 2012, while Andrea Pirlo reached his defining level around 2006 after spells with Brescia, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, New York City FC. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
188 words · comparison angle: era
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.”
Italian playmaker and World Cup winner; six-time Serie A champion and two-time Champions League winner.
“A deep-lying regista whose passing range and free-kick craft orchestrated Italy and Juventus for a decade.”
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 (2006)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (2003, 2007)
- 6× Serie A
- 2× Coppa Italia
- 2× UEFA Super Cup (2003, 2007)
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 Brescia debut aged 16
- 1998 Signed for Inter Milan but failed to break through
- 2001 Joined AC Milan and his career took off
- 2006 World Cup winner with Italy
- 2011 Free transfer to Juventus
- 2014 Set a Serie A points record with Juventus
- 2015 Joined MLS side New York City FC
The verdict
On balance Andrea Pirlo edges the comparison. The margin is a narrow margin, decided mostly by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Andrea Pirlo edges it (a narrow margin)
