Clint Dempsey vs Nuno Gomes: Stats Compared
Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018) · Striker, Portugal (born 1976, retired 2013)
The Clint Dempsey–Nuno Gomes comparison is one of those fixtures of footballing folklore. Trophies, more than goals, are how most supporters ultimately remember a career. By the end Clint Dempsey had 180 goals from 550 caps and club outings; Nuno Gomes had 190 from 600. In chance creation, Clint Dempsey tallied 90 assists to Nuno Gomes's 30. Trophy counts give Clint Dempsey 2 and Nuno Gomes 5, with 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014) and 3× Primeira Liga (1994, 2005, 2010) the standout honours respectively. Clint Dempsey built his medal haul through years of mercurial consistency, while Nuno Gomes won his with explosive 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 Nuno Gomes doing so around 2004 with Benfica, Fiorentina, Benfica, Braga. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
155 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.”
Portugal's talismanic striker through two major tournaments, Nuno Gomes was Benfica's record European Championship top scorer and a beloved figure in Portuguese football.
“A sharp, hard-working striker whose movement and finishing made him a reliable source of goals across two decades.”
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)
- 3× Primeira Liga (1994, 2005, 2010)
- 2× Taça de Portugal (2004, 2005)
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.
- 1994 Professional debut for Benfica
- 1994 Won Primeira Liga with Benfica
- 2004 Won Taça de Portugal with Benfica
- 2004 Reached the peak of his powers at Benfica
- 2013 Retired after a final spell at Braga
- Finished his career with 190 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 190 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Nuno Gomes wins out by a narrow margin on the weight of a weightier trophy cabinet.
Nuno Gomes edges it (a narrow margin)
