Andrea Pirlo vs Gennaro Gattuso: Stats Compared
Central / Attacking Midfielder, Italy (born 1979, retired 2017) · Defensive Midfielder, Italy (born 1978, retired 2013)
When Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Trophies, more than goals, are how most supporters ultimately remember a career. Career output puts Andrea Pirlo at 73 goals in 728 games, with Gennaro Gattuso at 25 in 550. The assist columns read 80 for Andrea Pirlo and 20 for Gennaro Gattuso where the record exists. Andrea Pirlo departs the game with 13 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2006); Gennaro Gattuso with 5, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2006). Andrea Pirlo built his medal haul through years of silky consistency, while Gennaro Gattuso won his with creative bursts of brilliance. 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 Gennaro Gattuso reached his defining level around 2007 after spells with Perugia, Rangers, AC Milan, Sion. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
168 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.”
A snarling, relentless ball-winner nicknamed 'Ringhio' (Growl), Gattuso was the combative heartbeat of AC Milan's midfield through two Champions League triumphs.
“An abrasive, high-energy defensive midfielder whose non-stop tackling and pressing shielded his more gifted teammates.”
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× FIFA World Cup (2006)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (2003, 2007)
- 2× Serie A (2004, 2011)
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 Perugia
- 2006 Won FIFA World Cup with AC Milan
- 2004 Won Serie A with AC Milan
- 2007 Reached the peak of his powers at AC Milan
- 2013 Retired after a final spell at Sion
- Finished his career with 25 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 25 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Andrea Pirlo edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Andrea Pirlo edges it (a decisive margin)
