David Luiz vs Dejan Savićević: Stats Compared
Centre-Back, Brazil (born 1987, retired 2023) · Attacking Midfielder, Yugoslavia (born 1966, retired 2001)
When David Luiz and Dejan Savićević are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. 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 Dejan Savićević's 110 from 450 at 0.24 per match. The assist columns read 25 for David Luiz and 70 for Dejan Savićević where the record exists. David Luiz departs the game with 6 major pieces of silverware, including 1× UEFA Champions League (2012); Dejan Savićević with 5, including 1× European Cup (1991). Their legacies diverge in texture: David Luiz is remembered as uncompromising, Dejan Savićević as incisive. 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 Dejan Savićević reached his defining level around 1994 after spells with Budućnost Podgorica, Red Star Belgrade, AC Milan, Rapid Wien. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
174 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.”
Nicknamed 'The Genius', Savićević was a mesmerising Montenegrin playmaker whose iconic lobbed goal in the 1994 Champions League final capped AC Milan's most dominant era.
“An audacious, unpredictable dribbler whose flair and outrageous invention made him one of the most watchable players of his generation.”
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× European Cup (1991)
- 3× Serie A (1993, 1994, 1996)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (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.
- 1982 Professional debut for Budućnost Podgorica
- 1991 Won European Cup with Red Star Belgrade
- 1994 Won UEFA Champions League with AC Milan
- 1994 Reached the peak of his powers at AC Milan
- 2001 Retired after a final spell at Rapid Wien
- Finished his career with 110 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 110 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, David Luiz takes it by a narrow margin.
David Luiz edges it (a narrow margin)
