Zlatan Ibrahimović vs Teddy Sheringham: Stats Compared
Striker, Sweden (born 1981, retired 2023) · Striker, England (born 1966, retired 2008)
Set Zlatan Ibrahimović alongside Teddy Sheringham and the numbers start an argument of their own. Silverware is the currency of legacy, and both players filled cabinets that few can rival. Across his senior career Zlatan Ibrahimović notched 573 goals in 812 appearances (0.71 per game), while Teddy Sheringham recorded 320 in 900 (0.36 per game). Add playmaking to the mix and Zlatan Ibrahimović laid on 172 goals, Teddy Sheringham 130. Trophy counts give Zlatan Ibrahimović 9 and Teddy Sheringham 4, with 1× Eredivisie (2004) and 1× UEFA Champions League (1999) the standout honours respectively. Zlatan Ibrahimović built his medal haul through years of flair-driven consistency, while Teddy Sheringham won his with flair-driven bursts of brilliance. The wider career context matters too: Zlatan Ibrahimović peaked around 2013 after representing Malmö FF, Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, while Teddy Sheringham's defining level came around 1999 across Millwall, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, West Ham United, Colchester United. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
184 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
A towering, unmistakably confident Swedish striker who scored trademark bicycle-kick and outrageous long-range goals across four of Europe's top five leagues.
“A physically dominant, technically audacious striker equally comfortable finishing simply or scoring wonder goals from acrobatic positions.”
A cerebral, late-developing striker, Sheringham scored the injury-time equaliser in Manchester United's 1999 Champions League final and remains the Premier League's oldest ever goalscorer.
“An intelligent, deep-dropping forward whose clever hold-up play and vision created space for quicker strike partners.”
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× Eredivisie (2004)
- 4× Serie A (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 4× Ligue 1 (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (1999)
- 2× Premier League (1999, 2000)
- 1× FA Cup (1999)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1999 Professional debut for Malmö FF
- 2004 Won Eredivisie with Ajax
- 2013 Won Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain
- 2013 Reached the peak of his powers at Paris Saint-Germain
- 2023 Retired after a final spell at AC Milan
- Finished his career with 573 goals in 812 appearances and 9 major honours. Finished his career with 573 goals in 812 appearances and 9 major honours.
- 1984 Professional debut for Millwall
- 1999 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 1999 Won FA Cup with Manchester United
- 1999 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2008 Retired after a final spell at Colchester United
- Finished his career with 320 goals in 900 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 320 goals in 900 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Zlatan Ibrahimović is the choice: a decisive margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Zlatan Ibrahimović edges it (a decisive margin)
