Kaká vs Landon Donovan: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Brazil (born 1982, retired 2017) · Forward, United States (born 1982, retired 2016)
Ask any fan to rank Kaká above or below Landon Donovan and you will get a passionate answer. Honours are what separate great players from trophy-laden legends, and both qualify. Career output puts Kaká at 237 goals in 594 games, with Landon Donovan at 190 in 550. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Kaká is listed at 0 and Landon Donovan at 145 where figures survive. The honours ledger favours Kaká with 6 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (2002)) against Landon Donovan's 9 (6× MLS Cup (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014)). Kaká built his medal haul through years of orchestrating consistency, while Landon Donovan won his with explosive bursts of brilliance. The wider career context matters too: Kaká peaked around 2007 after representing São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Orlando City, while Landon Donovan's defining level came around 2010 across San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, Everton, LA Galaxy. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
173 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Brazilian attacking midfielder and 2007 Ballon d'Or winner; Champions League winner with AC Milan in 2007.
“A tall, graceful attacking midfielder who glided past defenders and finished with precision.”
The USA's all-time leading scorer for club and country until his retirement, Donovan was the face of American soccer through three World Cups, capped by his dramatic stoppage-time winner against Algeria in 2010.
“A quick, clever forward whose intelligent movement and clinical finishing made him the USA's most decorated attacking player.”
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 (2002)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2007)
- 2× FIFA Confederations Cup (2005, 2009)
- 1× Serie A (2004)
- 1× La Liga (2012)
- 6× MLS Cup (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014)
- 3× CONCACAF Gold Cup (2002, 2005, 2007)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2001 São Paulo breakthrough
- 2002 World Cup winner (limited role)
- 2003 Signed for AC Milan
- 2005 Lost the Champions League final in Istanbul
- 2007 Champions League winner and Ballon d'Or winner
- 2009 Record transfer to Real Madrid
- 2017 Retired at Orlando City
- 2001 Professional debut for San Jose Earthquakes
- 2001 Won MLS Cup with San Jose Earthquakes
- 2002 Won CONCACAF Gold Cup with San Jose Earthquakes
- 2010 Reached the peak of his powers at LA Galaxy
- 2016 Retired after a final spell at LA Galaxy
- Finished his career with 190 goals in 550 appearances and 9 major honours. Finished his career with 190 goals in 550 appearances and 9 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Kaká takes it by a decisive margin.
Kaká edges it (a decisive margin)
