David Luiz vs Predrag Mijatović: Stats Compared
Centre-Back, Brazil (born 1987, retired 2023) · Striker, Yugoslavia (born 1969, retired 2004)
Ask any fan to rank David Luiz above or below Predrag Mijatović and you will get a passionate answer. Era matters in any comparison, and these two peaked under very different footballing conditions. On production alone, David Luiz posted 35 goals across 650 appearances while Predrag Mijatović managed 210 across 500. The assist columns read 25 for David Luiz and 30 for Predrag Mijatović where the record exists. In major honours David Luiz collected 6 — headlined by 1× UEFA Champions League (2012) — whereas Predrag Mijatović amassed 2, led by 1× UEFA Champions League (1998). David Luiz belonged to the modern era, dominating with a rugged quality; Predrag Mijatović rose in the 1990s with a explosive edge. 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 Predrag Mijatović doing so around 1998 with Budućnost Podgorica, Partizan, Valencia CF, Real Madrid, Fiorentina, Levante. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
168 words · comparison angle: era
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.”
Mijatović's decisive winning goal in the 1998 Champions League final ended Real Madrid's 32-year wait for the European Cup and remains one of the club's most iconic moments.
“A clever, mobile striker whose intelligent runs in behind and composed finishing produced goals in the biggest moments.”
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× UEFA Champions League (1998)
- 1× La Liga (1997)
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 Budućnost Podgorica
- 1998 Won UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid
- 1997 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Levante
- Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, David Luiz is the choice: a clear margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
David Luiz edges it (a clear margin)
