David Luiz vs Paul Ince: Stats Compared
Centre-Back, Brazil (born 1987, retired 2023) · Central Midfielder, England (born 1967, retired 2006)
Line up David Luiz next to Paul Ince and the contrasts come quickly. Honours are what separate great players from trophy-laden legends, and both qualify. Career output puts David Luiz at 35 goals in 650 games, with Paul Ince at 90 in 650. In chance creation, David Luiz tallied 25 assists to Paul Ince's 60. Trophy counts give David Luiz 6 and Paul Ince 4, with 1× UEFA Champions League (2012) and 2× Premier League (1993, 1994) the standout honours respectively. One lifted trophies through commanding reliability, the other through creative moments that decided finals. Their routes to the top were distinct: David Luiz built his reputation across Vitória, Benfica, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Arsenal, Flamengo, peaking around 2013, while Paul Ince reached his defining level around 1994 after spells with West Ham United, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Swindon Town. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
158 words · comparison angle: trophies
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 Black player to captain England, Ince was a combative, driving midfielder at the heart of Manchester United's early Premier League dominance.
“An aggressive, all-action midfielder whose tackling and late runs into the box made him a formidable box-to-box presence.”
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)
- 2× Premier League (1993, 1994)
- 2× FA Cup (1990, 1994)
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.
- 1986 Professional debut for West Ham United
- 1993 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 1990 Won FA Cup with Manchester United
- 1994 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Swindon Town
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give David Luiz the lead — a narrow margin, courtesy of consistency at the very highest level.
David Luiz edges it (a narrow margin)
