David Luiz vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Centre-Back, Brazil (born 1987, retired 2023) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
Ask any fan to rank David Luiz above or below Clint Dempsey and you will get a passionate answer. Legacy is the only real measure that outlives the numbers, and both have staked towering claims. David Luiz finishes with 35 career goals from 650 games — a 0.05 strike rate — against Clint Dempsey's 180 from 550 at 0.33 per match. In chance creation, David Luiz tallied 25 assists to Clint Dempsey's 90. In major honours David Luiz collected 6 — headlined by 1× UEFA Champions League (2012) — whereas Clint Dempsey amassed 2, led by 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014). Their legacies diverge in texture: David Luiz is remembered as anticipatory, Clint Dempsey as predatory. Club journeys add another layer, with David Luiz reaching his representative peak around 2013 across Vitória, Benfica, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Arsenal, Flamengo and Clint Dempsey doing so around 2012 with New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
171 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
An eccentric, unpredictable Brazilian centre-back famed for his wild hairstyles and thunderous free-kicks, David Luiz won trophies across three major European leagues.
“An unorthodox, high-risk centre-back who combined bold attacking instincts and a huge shot with occasionally erratic positioning.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
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× UEFA Champions League (2012)
- 2× UEFA Europa League (2013, 2019)
- 2× Premier League (2015, 2017)
- 1× FA Cup (2018)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2006 Professional debut for Vitória
- 2012 Won UEFA Champions League with Chelsea
- 2018 Won FA Cup with Chelsea
- 2013 Reached the peak of his powers at Chelsea
- 2023 Retired after a final spell at Flamengo
- Finished his career with 35 goals in 650 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 35 goals in 650 appearances and 6 major honours.
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give David Luiz the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a weightier trophy cabinet.
David Luiz edges it (a decisive margin)
