Juan Román Riquelme vs Park Ji-sung: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Argentina (born 1978, retired 2015) · Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014)
Juan Román Riquelme versus Park Ji-sung is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Goals are the coldest, hardest metric in football, and both players stockedpile them. Career output puts Juan Román Riquelme at 130 goals in 550 games, with Park Ji-sung at 60 in 550. The assist columns read 100 for Juan Román Riquelme and 60 for Park Ji-sung where the record exists. In major honours Juan Román Riquelme collected 8 — headlined by 3× Copa Libertadores (2000, 2001, 2007) — whereas Park Ji-sung amassed 5, led by 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011). Where Juan Román Riquelme was a silky presence in the box, Park Ji-sung offered a intelligent approach to goalscoring. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Juan Román Riquelme's landmark level arrived around 2007 with a career spanning Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Villarreal, Boca Juniors; Park Ji-sung's came around 2008 across Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
169 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
An unhurried, languid Argentine No.10 whose vision and close control made him the last great exponent of the classic South American enganche playmaker.
“A slow-paced but supremely elegant playmaker who dictated tempo with pinpoint passing and a low centre of gravity.”
The first Asian player to win the Champions League and reach a World Cup semi-final, Park was renowned for his tireless work rate and big-game performances for Manchester United.
“A relentless, selfless box-to-box midfielder whose stamina and tactical discipline made him invaluable in the biggest matches.”
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
- 3× Copa Libertadores (2000, 2001, 2007)
- 2× Intercontinental Cup (2000, 2003)
- 3× Argentine Primera División (1998, 1999, 2000)
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1996 Professional debut for Boca Juniors
- 2000 Won Copa Libertadores with Boca Juniors
- 1998 Won Argentine Primera División with Boca Juniors
- 2007 Reached the peak of his powers at Villarreal
- 2015 Retired after a final spell at Boca Juniors
- Finished his career with 130 goals in 550 appearances and 8 major honours. Finished his career with 130 goals in 550 appearances and 8 major honours.
- 2000 Professional debut for Kyoto Purple Sanga
- 2007 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 2008 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 2008 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Queens Park Rangers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Juan Román Riquelme is the choice: a clear margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Juan Román Riquelme edges it (a clear margin)
