Clint Dempsey vs Bixente Lizarazu: Stats Compared
Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018) · Left-Back, France (born 1969, retired 2006)
Line up Clint Dempsey next to Bixente Lizarazu and the contrasts come quickly. Silverware is the currency of legacy, and both players filled cabinets that few can rival. By the end Clint Dempsey had 180 goals from 550 caps and club outings; Bixente Lizarazu had 15 from 600. In chance creation, Clint Dempsey tallied 90 assists to Bixente Lizarazu's 30. The honours ledger favours Clint Dempsey with 2 major trophies (1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)) against Bixente Lizarazu's 7 (1× FIFA World Cup (1998)). Clint Dempsey built his medal haul through years of clinical consistency, while Bixente Lizarazu won his with elegant bursts of brilliance. Club journeys add another layer, with Clint Dempsey reaching his representative peak around 2012 across New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders and Bixente Lizarazu doing so around 2001 with Bordeaux, Athletic Bilbao, Bayern Munich, Marseille. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
156 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
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.”
A world judo champion off the pitch, Lizarazu was one of the finest left-backs of his generation, winning the World Cup, European Championship and Champions League with Bayern Munich.
“A compact, combative full-back whose low centre of gravity and stamina let him bomb up and down the flank all match.”
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× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1998)
- 1× UEFA European Championship (2000)
- 4× Bundesliga (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2001)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 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.
- 1988 Professional debut for Bordeaux
- 1998 Won FIFA World Cup with Bayern Munich
- 2001 Won UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich
- 2001 Reached the peak of his powers at Bayern Munich
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Marseille
- Finished his career with 15 goals in 600 appearances and 7 major honours. Finished his career with 15 goals in 600 appearances and 7 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Bixente Lizarazu takes it by a clear margin.
Bixente Lizarazu edges it (a clear margin)
