Miroslav Klose vs Youri Djorkaeff: Stats Compared
Striker, Germany (born 1978, retired 2016) · Attacking Midfielder, France (born 1968, retired 2006)
Ask any fan to rank Miroslav Klose above or below Youri Djorkaeff and you will get a passionate answer. They belonged to different eras, which makes any direct comparison a test of imagination as much as statistics. By the end Miroslav Klose had 318 goals from 705 caps and club outings; Youri Djorkaeff had 200 from 600. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Miroslav Klose is credited with 0 and Youri Djorkaeff with 90. The honours ledger favours Miroslav Klose with 7 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (2014)) against Youri Djorkaeff's 3 (1× FIFA World Cup (1998)). Across the modern era and the 1990s respectively, their flair-driven and dictatorial styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Their routes to the top were distinct: Miroslav Klose built his reputation across Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, Lazio, peaking around 2014, while Youri Djorkaeff reached his defining level around 1998 after spells with Grenoble, Strasbourg, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Kaiserslautern, Bolton Wanderers, New York MetroStars. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
192 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
All-time FIFA World Cup top scorer with 16 goals; Germany's all-time leading goalscorer with 71 international goals.
“A selfless striker and aerial specialist whose consistency made him a World Cup great.”
A stylish, powerful-shooting French playmaker, Djorkaeff scored crucial goals throughout France's 1998 World Cup triumph and starred for club sides across three countries.
“A creative attacking midfielder blessed with an unusually powerful shot and clever vision in tight areas.”
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 (2014)
- 2× Bundesliga (2008, 2010)
- 3× DFB-Pokal (2005, 2008, 2010)
- 1× Coppa Italia (2013)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1998)
- 1× UEFA European Championship (2000)
- 1× UEFA Cup (1998)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2000 Kaiserslautern debut
- 2002 World Cup debut, scored five headed goals
- 2007 Joined Bayern Munich
- 2011 Joined Lazio, won over fans with relentless work rate
- 2014 World Cup winner, became the all-time World Cup top scorer (16 goals)
- 2016 Retired at Lazio
- 1986 Professional debut for Grenoble
- 1998 Won FIFA World Cup with Inter Milan
- 1998 Won UEFA Cup with Inter Milan
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Inter Milan
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at New York MetroStars
- Finished his career with 200 goals in 600 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 200 goals in 600 appearances and 3 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Miroslav Klose takes it by a clear margin.
Miroslav Klose edges it (a clear margin)
