Andrea Pirlo vs Nicolas Anelka: Stats Compared
Central / Attacking Midfielder, Italy (born 1979, retired 2017) · Striker, France (born 1979, retired 2015)
Ask any fan to rank Andrea Pirlo above or below Nicolas Anelka and you will get a passionate answer. Their jobs on the pitch were not the same, yet both redefined what their role could be. Across his senior career Andrea Pirlo notched 73 goals in 728 appearances (0.10 per game), while Nicolas Anelka recorded 300 in 800 (0.38 per game). In chance creation, Andrea Pirlo tallied 80 assists to Nicolas Anelka's 90. Trophy counts give Andrea Pirlo 13 and Nicolas Anelka 4, with 1× FIFA World Cup (2006) and 2× Premier League (1998, 2010) the standout honours respectively. As a central / attacking midfielder Andrea Pirlo bent the role to a silky template; as a striker, Nicolas Anelka redefined it with ruthless authority. Club journeys add another layer, with Andrea Pirlo reaching his representative peak around 2006 across Brescia, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, New York City FC and Nicolas Anelka doing so around 2009 with Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Fenerbahçe, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Shanghai Shenhua, West Bromwich Albion, Mumbai City. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
189 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
Italian playmaker and World Cup winner; six-time Serie A champion and two-time Champions League winner.
“A deep-lying regista whose passing range and free-kick craft orchestrated Italy and Juventus for a decade.”
A supremely talented but nomadic French striker, Anelka won titles in four different countries, culminating in Chelsea's 2012 Champions League triumph.
“A quick, clinical striker with excellent movement in behind, though a reputation for a wandering, restless career.”
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 (2006)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (2003, 2007)
- 6× Serie A
- 2× Coppa Italia
- 2× UEFA Super Cup (2003, 2007)
- 2× Premier League (1998, 2010)
- 1× La Liga (2000)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2012)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1995 Brescia debut aged 16
- 1998 Signed for Inter Milan but failed to break through
- 2001 Joined AC Milan and his career took off
- 2006 World Cup winner with Italy
- 2011 Free transfer to Juventus
- 2014 Set a Serie A points record with Juventus
- 2015 Joined MLS side New York City FC
- 1995 Professional debut for Paris Saint-Germain
- 1998 Won Premier League with Arsenal
- 2012 Won UEFA Champions League with Chelsea
- 2009 Reached the peak of his powers at Chelsea
- 2015 Retired after a final spell at Mumbai City
- Finished his career with 300 goals in 800 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 300 goals in 800 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Andrea Pirlo the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a weightier trophy cabinet.
Andrea Pirlo edges it (a decisive margin)
