Ivan Rakitić vs Edgar Davids: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, Croatia (born 1988, retired 2023) · Defensive Midfielder, Netherlands (born 1973, retired 2011)
Ask any fan to rank Ivan Rakitić above or below Edgar Davids and you will get a passionate answer. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. The raw numbers read 90 goals in 700 outings for Ivan Rakitić (0.13/game), versus 45 in 600 for Edgar Davids (0.08/game). In chance creation, Ivan Rakitić tallied 90 assists to Edgar Davids's 40. In major honours Ivan Rakitić collected 6 — headlined by 1× UEFA Champions League (2015) — whereas Edgar Davids amassed 4, led by 1× UEFA Champions League (1995). As a central midfielder Ivan Rakitić bent the role to a incisive template; as a defensive midfielder, Edgar Davids redefined it with incisive authority. Club journeys add another layer, with Ivan Rakitić reaching his representative peak around 2015 across Basel, Schalke 04, Sevilla, Barcelona, Sevilla, Hajduk Split and Edgar Davids doing so around 2000 with Ajax, AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, Internazionale, Tottenham Hotspur, Ajax, Crystal Palace. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
170 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
A key architect of Barcelona's 2015 treble and Croatia's run to the 2018 World Cup final, Rakitić combined tireless work rate with excellent passing range.
“A tireless, technically composed box-to-box midfielder whose range of passing linked defence and attack seamlessly.”
Nicknamed 'The Pitbull' for his relentless tackling, Davids wore his trademark wraparound goggles and was one of the most feared ball-winners in Europe during Juventus's late-1990s dominance.
“An aggressive, tireless ball-winner whose combativeness and surprising technical quality made him a complete midfield destroyer.”
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× UEFA Champions League (2015)
- 1× UEFA Europa League (2014)
- 4× La Liga (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (1995)
- 3× Serie A (1998, 2002, 2003)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2005 Professional debut for Basel
- 2015 Won UEFA Champions League with Barcelona
- 2015 Won La Liga with Barcelona
- 2015 Reached the peak of his powers at Barcelona
- 2023 Retired after a final spell at Hajduk Split
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours.
- 1991 Professional debut for Ajax
- 1995 Won UEFA Champions League with Ajax
- 1998 Won Serie A with Juventus
- 2000 Reached the peak of his powers at Juventus
- 2011 Retired after a final spell at Crystal Palace
- Finished his career with 45 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 45 goals in 600 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Ivan Rakitić edges the comparison. The margin is a narrow margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Ivan Rakitić edges it (a narrow margin)
