Luís Figo vs David Luiz: Stats Compared
Winger, Portugal (born 1972, retired 2009) · Centre-Back, Brazil (born 1987, retired 2023)
Luís Figo and David Luiz represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Trophies, more than goals, are how most supporters ultimately remember a career. Across his senior career Luís Figo notched 144 goals in 737 appearances (0.20 per game), while David Luiz recorded 35 in 650 (0.05 per game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Luís Figo is credited with 0 and David Luiz with 25. The honours ledger favours Luís Figo with 12 major trophies (1× UEFA Champions League (2002)) against David Luiz's 6 (1× UEFA Champions League (2012)). One lifted trophies through incisive reliability, the other through resolute moments that decided finals. The wider career context matters too: Luís Figo peaked around 2000 after representing Sporting CP, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, while David Luiz's defining level came around 2013 across Vitória, Benfica, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Arsenal, Flamengo. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
174 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Portuguese winger and 2000 Ballon d'Or winner; won league titles in Spain and Italy at Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter.
“A right-wing dribbler with a trademark step-over and the capacity to deliver telling crosses all day.”
An eccentric, unpredictable Brazilian centre-back famed for his wild hairstyles and thunderous free-kicks, David Luiz won trophies across three major European leagues.
“An unorthodox, high-risk centre-back who combined bold attacking instincts and a huge shot with occasionally erratic positioning.”
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× UEFA Champions League (2002)
- 4× La Liga (1998, 1999, 2001, 2003)
- 4× Serie A (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
- 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1997)
- 2× Copa del Rey (1997, 1998)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2012)
- 2× UEFA Europa League (2013, 2019)
- 2× Premier League (2015, 2017)
- 1× FA Cup (2018)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1989 Sporting CP debut
- 1995 Joined Barcelona
- 2000 Controversial transfer to Real Madrid
- 2000 Ballon d'Or winner
- 2002 Champions League winner with Real Madrid
- 2005 Signed for Inter Milan
- 2009 Retired at Inter Milan
- 2006 Professional debut for Vitória
- 2012 Won UEFA Champions League with Chelsea
- 2018 Won FA Cup with Chelsea
- 2013 Reached the peak of his powers at Chelsea
- 2023 Retired after a final spell at Flamengo
- Finished his career with 35 goals in 650 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 35 goals in 650 appearances and 6 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Luís Figo takes it by a decisive margin.
Luís Figo edges it (a decisive margin)
