Park Ji-sung vs Predrag Mijatović: Stats Compared
Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014) · Striker, Yugoslavia (born 1969, retired 2004)
Park Ji-sung versus Predrag Mijatović is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. Park Ji-sung finishes with 60 career goals from 550 games — a 0.11 strike rate — against Predrag Mijatović's 210 from 500 at 0.42 per match. Creativity tells a story too: 60 assists for Park Ji-sung against 30 for Predrag Mijatović. The honours ledger favours Park Ji-sung with 5 major trophies (4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)) against Predrag Mijatović's 2 (1× UEFA Champions League (1998)). As a midfielder Park Ji-sung bent the role to a incisive template; as a striker, Predrag Mijatović redefined it with explosive authority. Club journeys add another layer, with Park Ji-sung reaching his representative peak around 2008 across Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers and Predrag Mijatović doing so around 1998 with Budućnost Podgorica, Partizan, Valencia CF, Real Madrid, Fiorentina, Levante. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
168 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
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.”
Mijatović's decisive winning goal in the 1998 Champions League final ended Real Madrid's 32-year wait for the European Cup and remains one of the club's most iconic moments.
“A clever, mobile striker whose intelligent runs in behind and composed finishing produced goals in the biggest moments.”
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
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (1998)
- 1× La Liga (1997)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 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.
- 1986 Professional debut for Budućnost Podgorica
- 1998 Won UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid
- 1997 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at Levante
- Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 210 goals in 500 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
Reasonable people will disagree, but Park Ji-sung wins out by a clear margin on the weight of a weightier trophy cabinet.
Park Ji-sung edges it (a clear margin)
