Luka Modrić vs Edgar Davids: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Croatia (born 1985, retired 2024) · Defensive Midfielder, Netherlands (born 1973, retired 2011)
Luka Modrić and Edgar Davids represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Their textures on the ball are what fans actually remember, and they could hardly be more different. Career output puts Luka Modrić at 90 goals in 900 games, with Edgar Davids at 45 in 600. In chance creation, Luka Modrić tallied 150 assists to Edgar Davids's 40. The honours ledger favours Luka Modrić with 9 major trophies (6× UEFA Champions League (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024)) against Edgar Davids's 4 (1× UEFA Champions League (1995)). Luka Modrić played with a silky that made him unmistakable; Edgar Davids brought a creative that was equally his own. Club journeys add another layer, with Luka Modrić reaching his representative peak around 2018 across Dinamo Zagreb, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and Edgar Davids doing so around 2000 with Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Internazionale, Tottenham Hotspur, Ajax, Crystal Palace. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
164 words · comparison angle: style
Player profiles
The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner who ended a decade of Messi-Ronaldo dominance, Modrić was the metronomic heartbeat of Real Madrid's record-extending Champions League dynasty and led Croatia to the World Cup final.
“A supremely elegant, tireless playmaker whose close control and range of passing let him control games from deep or advanced positions alike.”
Nicknamed 'The Pitbull' for his relentless tackling, Davids wore his trademark wraparound goggles and was one of the most feared ball-winners in Europe during Juventus's late-1990s dominance.
“An aggressive, tireless ball-winner whose combativeness and surprising technical quality made him a complete midfield destroyer.”
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
- 6× UEFA Champions League (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024)
- 3× La Liga (2017, 2020, 2022)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (1995)
- 3× Serie A (1998, 2002, 2003)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2003 Professional debut for Dinamo Zagreb
- 2014 Won UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid
- 2017 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 2018 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2024 Retired after a final spell at Real Madrid
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 900 appearances and 9 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 900 appearances and 9 major honours.
- 1991 Professional debut for Ajax
- 1995 Won UEFA Champions League with Ajax
- 1998 Won Serie A with Juventus
- 2000 Reached the peak of his powers at Juventus
- 2011 Retired after a final spell at Crystal Palace
- Finished his career with 45 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 45 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Luka Modrić takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a sharper goalscoring record.
Luka Modrić edges it (a decisive margin)
