Dunga vs Patrick Vieira: Stats Compared
Defensive Midfielder, Brazil (born 1963, retired 1998) · Central Midfielder, France (born 1976, retired 2011)
Line up Dunga next to Patrick Vieira and the contrasts come quickly. Honours are what separate great players from trophy-laden legends, and both qualify. The raw numbers read 60 goals in 687 outings for Dunga (0.09/game), versus 68 in 737 for Patrick Vieira (0.09/game). Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. Dunga departs the game with 8 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1994); Patrick Vieira with 15, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1998). Dunga built his medal haul through years of intelligent consistency, while Patrick Vieira won his with dictatorial bursts of brilliance. Their routes to the top were distinct: Dunga built his reputation across Vasco da Gama, Fiorentina, Stuttgart, Júbilo Iwata, peaking around 1994, while Patrick Vieira reached his defining level around 2004 after spells with Cannes, AC Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milan, Manchester City. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
165 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri (born 31 October 1963), commonly known as Dunga, is a Brazilian football manager and former professional player. Considered one of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time, as a player, he was known for his technique, athleticism, passing range, solid tackles and first touch. Under the captaincy Dunga took from Raí, Brazil won the 1994 FIFA World Cup and became runners-up of the following edition.
“A disciplined captain whose tackling, structure and fierce standards gave Brazil balance.”
Arsenal captain who led the Invincibles to the 2003-04 Premier League title; World Cup and Euro winner with France.
“A towering, leggy box-to-box enforcer who combined physicality with technical security in midfield.”
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× FIFA World Cup (1994)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1998)
- 1× UEFA European Championship (2000)
- 2× FIFA Confederations Cup (2001, 2003)
- 3× Premier League (1998, 2002, 2004)
- 4× Serie A (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
- 4× FA Cup (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1986 Established himself at Vasco da Gama
- 1990 Reached his defining peak
- 1994 Delivered a landmark season
- 1998 Retired from professional football
- 1994 Cannes debut
- 1996 Joined AC Milan for limited game time
- 1996 Signed for Arsenal
- 1998 World Cup winner with France
- 2001 Succeeded Tony Adams as Arsenal captain
- 2005 Left Arsenal for Juventus
- 2011 Retired at Manchester City
The verdict
The numbers give Patrick Vieira the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a weightier trophy cabinet.
Patrick Vieira edges it (a decisive margin)
