Miroslav Klose vs Park Ji-sung: Stats Compared
Striker, Germany (born 1978, retired 2016) · Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014)
When Miroslav Klose and Park Ji-sung are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. Career output puts Miroslav Klose at 318 goals in 705 games, with Park Ji-sung at 60 in 550. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Miroslav Klose is listed at 0 and Park Ji-sung at 60 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Miroslav Klose 7 and Park Ji-sung 5, with 1× FIFA World Cup (2014) and 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011) the standout honours respectively. Across the modern era and the turn of the millennium respectively, their flair-driven and creative styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Miroslav Klose's landmark level arrived around 2014 with a career spanning Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, Lazio; Park Ji-sung's came around 2008 across Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
185 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.”
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× FIFA World Cup (2014)
- 2× Bundesliga (2008, 2010)
- 3× DFB-Pokal (2005, 2008, 2010)
- 1× Coppa Italia (2013)
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
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
- 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
The numbers give Miroslav Klose the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Miroslav Klose edges it (a clear margin)
