Andrea Pirlo vs Paul Ince: Stats Compared
Central / Attacking Midfielder, Italy (born 1979, retired 2017) · Central Midfielder, England (born 1967, retired 2006)
Comparing Andrea Pirlo with Paul Ince means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Honours are what separate great players from trophy-laden legends, and both qualify. Career output puts Andrea Pirlo at 73 goals in 728 games, with Paul Ince at 90 in 650. Creativity tells a story too: 80 assists for Andrea Pirlo against 60 for Paul Ince. The honours ledger favours Andrea Pirlo with 13 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (2006)) against Paul Ince's 4 (2× Premier League (1993, 1994)). One lifted trophies through orchestrating reliability, the other through silky 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 Paul Ince reached his defining level around 1994 after spells with West Ham United, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Swindon Town. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
163 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 Black player to captain England, Ince was a combative, driving midfielder at the heart of Manchester United's early Premier League dominance.
“An aggressive, all-action midfielder whose tackling and late runs into the box made him a formidable box-to-box presence.”
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 (1993, 1994)
- 2× FA Cup (1990, 1994)
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
- 1986 Professional debut for West Ham United
- 1993 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 1990 Won FA Cup with Manchester United
- 1994 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Swindon Town
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 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)
