Mesut Özil vs Esteban Cambiasso: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Germany (born 1988, retired 2023) · Central Midfielder, Argentina (born 1980, retired 2016)
There is something timeless about weighing Mesut Özil against Esteban Cambiasso. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. Across his senior career Mesut Özil notched 114 goals in 645 appearances (0.18 per game), while Esteban Cambiasso recorded 60 in 620 (0.10 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Mesut Özil is listed at 0 and Esteban Cambiasso at 55 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Mesut Özil 8 and Esteban Cambiasso 7, with 1× FIFA World Cup (2014) and 1× UEFA Champions League (2010) the standout honours respectively. Where Mesut Özil was a incisive presence in the box, Esteban Cambiasso offered a silky approach to goalscoring. The wider career context matters too: Mesut Özil peaked around 2012 after representing Schalke, Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Fenerbahçe, while Esteban Cambiasso's defining level came around 2010 across River Plate, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Leicester City, Olympiacos. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
179 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Mesut Özil is a German former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Known for his ball control, technical skills, creativity, passing skills, and vision, he is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation. Born and raised in Gelsenkirchen, Özil began his senior club career playing for hometown club Schalke 04, before signing with Werder Bremen in 2008, aged 19.
“A left-footed chance creator whose weight of pass and scanning made assists look effortless.”
A tireless, tactically astute Argentine midfielder who anchored Inter's historic 2010 treble-winning side.
“A disciplined box-to-box midfielder with excellent positional sense and a surprising eye for a spectacular long-range goal.”
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)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2010)
- 5× Serie A (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
- 1× FIFA Club World Cup (2010)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2004 Established himself at Schalke
- 2008 Reached his defining peak
- 2012 Delivered a landmark season
- 2023 Retired from professional football
- 1996 Professional debut for River Plate
- 2010 Won UEFA Champions League with Inter Milan
- 2010 Won FIFA Club World Cup with Inter Milan
- 2010 Reached the peak of his powers at Inter Milan
- 2016 Retired after a final spell at Olympiacos
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 620 appearances and 7 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 620 appearances and 7 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Mesut Özil the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Mesut Özil edges it (a clear margin)
