Clint Dempsey vs Pauleta: Stats Compared
Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018) · Striker, Portugal (born 1973, retired 2008)
When Clint Dempsey and Pauleta are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Reputations harden into legacies, and few careers cast longer shadows than these two. Career output puts Clint Dempsey at 180 goals in 550 games, with Pauleta at 240 in 550. In chance creation, Clint Dempsey tallied 90 assists to Pauleta's 40. Trophy counts give Clint Dempsey 2 and Pauleta 3, with 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014) and 1× Ligue 1 (2000) the standout honours respectively. History will file Clint Dempsey under flair-driven greatness and Pauleta under predatory greatness — different shelves, same temple. The wider career context matters too: Clint Dempsey peaked around 2012 after representing New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders, while Pauleta's defining level came around 2000 across Vitória Guimarães, Salgueiros, Deportivo La Coruña, Bordeaux, Paris Saint-Germain. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
151 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.”
Portugal's all-time leading goalscorer for over a decade, Pauleta was a clinical striker who led Bordeaux to a shock Ligue 1 title before years as Paris Saint-Germain's talisman.
“A sharp-shooting, opportunistic striker with excellent positioning inside the box and a reliable finish with either foot.”
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× Ligue 1 (2000)
- 2× Coupe de France (2004, 2006)
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.
- 1992 Professional debut for Vitória Guimarães
- 2000 Won Ligue 1 with Bordeaux
- 2004 Won Coupe de France with Paris Saint-Germain
- 2000 Reached the peak of his powers at Bordeaux
- 2008 Retired after a final spell at Paris Saint-Germain
- Finished his career with 240 goals in 550 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 240 goals in 550 appearances and 3 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
