David Silva vs Bastian Schweinsteiger: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Spain (born 1986, retired 2023) · Central Midfielder, Germany (born 1984, retired 2019)
When David Silva and Bastian Schweinsteiger are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Their jobs on the pitch were not the same, yet both redefined what their role could be. By the end David Silva had 124 goals from 771 caps and club outings; Bastian Schweinsteiger had 99 from 657. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. In major honours David Silva collected 9 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (2010) — whereas Bastian Schweinsteiger amassed 18, led by 1× FIFA World Cup (2014). As a attacking midfielder David Silva bent the role to a incisive template; as a central midfielder, Bastian Schweinsteiger redefined it with intelligent authority. Context beyond the headline totals is important: David Silva's landmark level arrived around 2012 with a career spanning Valencia, Manchester City, Real Sociedad; Bastian Schweinsteiger's came around 2014 across Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Chicago Fire. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
175 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.”
German midfielder who won the 2014 World Cup and eight Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich.
“A converted winger turned midfield general whose tireless running and passing drove Bayern and Germany.”
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 (2014)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2013)
- 8× Bundesliga
- 7× DFB-Pokal
- 1× FA Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Valencia
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
- 2002 Bayern Munich debut
- 2006 World Cup third-place on home soil
- 2010 Bayern Champions League final defeat in Madrid
- 2013 Won the treble under Jupp Heynckes
- 2014 World Cup winner, scored in the final bloodied
- 2015 Joined Manchester United
- 2017 Joined Chicago Fire in MLS
The verdict
If forced to pick, Bastian Schweinsteiger is the choice: a decisive margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
Bastian Schweinsteiger edges it (a decisive margin)
