Luis Suárez vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, Spain (born 1935, retired 1973) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
When Luis Suárez and Clint Dempsey are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Style separates them as much as statistics: two players, two unmistakable signatures. Career output puts Luis Suárez at 198 goals in 474 games, with Clint Dempsey at 180 in 550. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Luis Suárez is listed at 0 and Clint Dempsey at 90 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Luis Suárez 9 and Clint Dempsey 2, with 2× European Cup (1964, 1965) and 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014) the standout honours respectively. Luis Suárez played with a orchestrating that made him unmistakable; Clint Dempsey brought a predatory that was equally his own. Their routes to the top were distinct: Luis Suárez built his reputation across Deportivo, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Sampdoria, peaking around 1964, while Clint Dempsey reached his defining level around 2012 after spells with New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
177 words · comparison angle: style
Player profiles
Luis Suárez Miramontes was a Spanish professional footballer and manager. He played as a midfielder for Deportivo de La Coruña, España Industrial, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Sampdoria; he also represented the Spain national team between 1957 and 1972. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Spanish football players of all time, Suárez was noted for his elegant and fluid style of play and also regarded to be one of the greatest midfielders in the history of the sport.
“A cultured interior who saw passing lanes early and dictated matches with elegant control.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
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
- 2× European Cup (1964, 1965)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1956 Established himself at Deportivo
- 1960 Reached his defining peak
- 1964 Delivered a landmark season
- 1973 Retired from professional football
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Luis Suárez takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Luis Suárez edges it (a decisive margin)
