Oliver Kahn vs Park Ji-sung: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Germany (born 1969, retired 2008) · Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014)
Few debates split football fans quite like Oliver Kahn versus Park Ji-sung. Where pure finishing is concerned, this is a shootout between two of the most feared marksmen of their time. By the end Oliver Kahn had 0 goals from 781 caps and club outings; Park Ji-sung had 60 from 550. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Oliver Kahn is listed at 0 and Park Ji-sung at 60 where figures survive. Oliver Kahn departs the game with 18 major pieces of silverware, including 1× UEFA European Championship (1996); Park Ji-sung with 5, including 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011). Where Oliver Kahn was a authoritative presence in the box, Park Ji-sung offered a incisive approach to goalscoring. The wider career context matters too: Oliver Kahn peaked around 2001 after representing Karlsruher SC, Bayern Munich, while Park Ji-sung's defining level came around 2008 across Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
179 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
German goalkeeper and 2002 World Cup Golden Ball winner; eight-time Bundesliga champion with Bayern Munich.
“An intimidating, fiery keeper whose reflexes, presence and aura won him the nickname Der Titan.”
The first Asian player to win the Champions League and reach a World Cup semi-final, Park was renowned for his tireless work rate and big-game performances for Manchester United.
“A relentless, selfless box-to-box midfielder whose stamina and tactical discipline made him invaluable in the biggest matches.”
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 European Championship (1996)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2001)
- 8× Bundesliga
- 6× DFB-Pokal
- 1× UEFA Cup (1996)
- 1× Intercontinental Cup (2001)
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1987 Karlsruher SC debut
- 1994 Joined Bayern Munich
- 1996 Euro winner (as backup)
- 1999 Lost the Champions League final in stoppage time
- 2001 Champions League winner, man of the match in the final
- 2002 World Cup finalist, won the Golden Ball as best player
- 2008 Retired at Bayern Munich
- 2000 Professional debut for Kyoto Purple Sanga
- 2007 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 2008 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 2008 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Queens Park Rangers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Oliver Kahn edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Oliver Kahn edges it (a decisive margin)
