David Villa vs Park Ji-sung: Stats Compared
Striker, Spain (born 1981, retired 2020) · Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014)
David Villa and Park Ji-sung represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Legacy is the only real measure that outlives the numbers, and both have staked towering claims. Across his senior career David Villa notched 376 goals in 752 appearances (0.50 per game), while Park Ji-sung recorded 60 in 550 (0.11 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — David Villa is listed at 0 and Park Ji-sung at 60 where figures survive. In major honours David Villa collected 9 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (2010) — whereas Park Ji-sung amassed 5, led by 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011). Their legacies diverge in texture: David Villa is remembered as explosive, Park Ji-sung as dictatorial. Their routes to the top were distinct: David Villa built his reputation across Sporting Gijón, Valencia, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, peaking around 2010, while Park Ji-sung reached his defining level around 2008 after spells with Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
195 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
David Villa Sánchez is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a striker. Regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, Villa is the all-time top goalscorer of the Spain national team. He is currently the vice-president of Spanish Tercera Federación club CF Benidorm and a member of the Board of Directors of La Liga club Atlético Madrid.
“A two-footed finisher who attacked channels intelligently and struck cleanly from distance.”
The first Asian player to win the Champions League and reach a World Cup semi-final, Park was renowned for his tireless work rate and big-game performances for Manchester United.
“A relentless, selfless box-to-box midfielder whose stamina and tactical discipline made him invaluable in the biggest matches.”
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)
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2002 Established himself at Sporting Gijón
- 2006 Reached his defining peak
- 2010 Delivered a landmark season
- 2020 Retired from professional football
- 2000 Professional debut for Kyoto Purple Sanga
- 2007 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 2008 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 2008 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Queens Park Rangers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, David Villa is the choice: a decisive margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
David Villa edges it (a decisive margin)
