Andrea Pirlo vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Central / Attacking Midfielder, Italy (born 1979, retired 2017) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
Andrea Pirlo and Clint Dempsey represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Strip away the highlights and the medal count tells its own story for each man. Career output puts Andrea Pirlo at 73 goals in 728 games, with Clint Dempsey at 180 in 550. The assist columns read 80 for Andrea Pirlo and 90 for Clint Dempsey where the record exists. Andrea Pirlo departs the game with 13 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2006); Clint Dempsey with 2, including 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014). One lifted trophies through silky reliability, the other through explosive moments that decided finals. Their routes to the top were distinct: Andrea Pirlo built his reputation across Brescia, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, New York City FC, peaking around 2006, while Clint Dempsey reached his defining level around 2012 after spells with New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
169 words · comparison angle: trophies
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.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
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)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
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
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Andrea Pirlo edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Andrea Pirlo edges it (a decisive margin)
