Clint Dempsey vs Per Mertesacker: Stats Compared
Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018) · Centre-Back, Germany (born 1984, retired 2018)
Clint Dempsey and Per Mertesacker represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Legacy is the only real measure that outlives the numbers, and both have staked towering claims. The raw numbers read 180 goals in 550 outings for Clint Dempsey (0.33/game), versus 15 in 550 for Per Mertesacker (0.03/game). Creativity tells a story too: 90 assists for Clint Dempsey against 5 for Per Mertesacker. Clint Dempsey departs the game with 2 major pieces of silverware, including 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014); Per Mertesacker with 4, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2014). History will file Clint Dempsey under predatory greatness and Per Mertesacker under elegant greatness — different shelves, same temple. Club journeys add another layer, with Clint Dempsey reaching his representative peak around 2012 across New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders and Per Mertesacker doing so around 2014 with Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, Arsenal. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
167 words · comparison angle: legacy
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 towering, calm German centre-back nicknamed 'BFG' by Arsenal fans, Mertesacker started every match of Germany's triumphant 2014 World Cup campaign.
“A commanding, positionally intelligent centre-back whose reading of the game compensated for a lack of raw pace.”
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 (2014)
- 3× FA Cup (2014, 2015, 2017)
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.
- 2001 Professional debut for Hannover 96
- 2014 Won FIFA World Cup with Arsenal
- 2014 Won FA Cup with Arsenal
- 2014 Reached the peak of his powers at Arsenal
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Arsenal
- Finished his career with 15 goals in 550 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 15 goals in 550 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production, silverware and profile, the two finish within a whisker of each other. Call it a respectful draw — greatness of this calibre resists a single winner.
Too close to call — a respectful draw
