Park Ji-sung vs Peter Shilton: Stats Compared
Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014) · Goalkeeper, England (born 1949, retired 1997)
Put Park Ji-sung and Peter Shilton side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. Reputations harden into legacies, and few careers cast longer shadows than these two. The raw numbers read 60 goals in 550 outings for Park Ji-sung (0.11/game), versus 1 in 1005 for Peter Shilton (0.00/game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Park Ji-sung is listed at 60 and Peter Shilton at 0 where figures survive. The honours ledger favours Park Ji-sung with 5 major trophies (4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)) against Peter Shilton's 4 (2× European Cup (1979, 1980)). History will file Park Ji-sung under silky greatness and Peter Shilton under imposing greatness — different shelves, same temple. Their routes to the top were distinct: Park Ji-sung built his reputation across Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers, peaking around 2008, while Peter Shilton reached his defining level around 1980 after spells with Leicester City, Stoke City, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Derby County, Plymouth Argyle, Wimbledon, Leyton Orient. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
194 words · comparison angle: legacy
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.”
The most-capped England player in history with 125 caps, Shilton set an English record of 1,005 league appearances and won back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest.
“A commanding, remarkably consistent shot-stopper whose positioning and reflexes made him one of the most reliable goalkeepers of his generation.”
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)
- 2× European Cup (1979, 1980)
- 1× English First Division (1978)
- 1× League Cup (1979)
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.
- 1966 Professional debut for Leicester City
- 1979 Won European Cup with Nottingham Forest
- 1979 Won League Cup with Nottingham Forest
- 1980 Reached the peak of his powers at Nottingham Forest
- 1997 Retired after a final spell at Leyton Orient
- Finished his career with 1 goals in 1005 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 1 goals in 1005 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production, silverware and profile, the two finish within a whisker of each other. Call it a respectful draw — greatness of this calibre resists a single winner.
Too close to call — a respectful draw
