Park Ji-sung vs Pauleta: Stats Compared
Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014) · Striker, Portugal (born 1973, retired 2008)
When Park Ji-sung and Pauleta are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Era matters in any comparison, and these two peaked under very different footballing conditions. Career output puts Park Ji-sung at 60 goals in 550 games, with Pauleta at 240 in 550. The assist columns read 60 for Park Ji-sung and 40 for Pauleta where the record exists. The honours ledger favours Park Ji-sung with 5 major trophies (4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)) against Pauleta's 3 (1× Ligue 1 (2000)). Across the turn of the millennium and the turn of the millennium respectively, their intelligent and ruthless styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. The wider career context matters too: Park Ji-sung peaked around 2008 after representing Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers, while Pauleta's defining level came around 2000 across Vitória Guimarães, Salgueiros, Deportivo La Coruña, Bordeaux, Paris Saint-Germain. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
168 words · comparison angle: era
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.”
Portugal's all-time leading goalscorer for over a decade, Pauleta was a clinical striker who led Bordeaux to a shock Ligue 1 title before years as Paris Saint-Germain's talisman.
“A sharp-shooting, opportunistic striker with excellent positioning inside the box and a reliable finish with either foot.”
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× Ligue 1 (2000)
- 2× Coupe de France (2004, 2006)
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.
- 1992 Professional debut for Vitória Guimarães
- 2000 Won Ligue 1 with Bordeaux
- 2004 Won Coupe de France with Paris Saint-Germain
- 2000 Reached the peak of his powers at Bordeaux
- 2008 Retired after a final spell at Paris Saint-Germain
- Finished his career with 240 goals in 550 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 240 goals in 550 appearances and 3 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Park Ji-sung is the choice: a clear margin, with a stronger all-round attribute profile the deciding factor.
Park Ji-sung edges it (a clear margin)
