Clint Dempsey vs Rafael van der Vaart: Stats Compared
Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018) · Attacking Midfielder, Netherlands (born 1983, retired 2018)
Line up Clint Dempsey next to Rafael van der Vaart and the contrasts come quickly. Long after the final whistle, what lingers is influence, and each man reshaped his corner of the game. On production alone, Clint Dempsey posted 180 goals across 550 appearances while Rafael van der Vaart managed 180 across 600. The assist columns read 90 for Clint Dempsey and 100 for Rafael van der Vaart where the record exists. The honours ledger favours Clint Dempsey with 2 major trophies (1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)) against Rafael van der Vaart's 2 (1× Eredivisie (2002)). History will file Clint Dempsey under clinical greatness and Rafael van der Vaart under dictatorial greatness — different shelves, same temple. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Clint Dempsey's landmark level arrived around 2012 with a career spanning New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders; Rafael van der Vaart's came around 2010 across Ajax, Hamburger SV, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Hamburger SV, Real Betis, FC Midtjylland. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
176 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 creative, elegant Dutch playmaker known for spectacular long-range volleys, Van der Vaart shone at Ajax, Real Madrid and Tottenham before a stellar return to Hamburg.
“A gifted attacking midfielder with a knack for scoring outrageous long-range strikes and threading incisive final passes.”
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× Eredivisie (2002)
- 1× KNVB Cup (2002)
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.
- 2000 Professional debut for Ajax
- 2002 Won Eredivisie with Ajax
- 2002 Won KNVB Cup with Ajax
- 2010 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at FC Midtjylland
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 600 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 600 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Rafael van der Vaart edges the comparison. The margin is a clear margin, decided mostly by consistency at the very highest level.
Rafael van der Vaart edges it (a clear margin)
