Rivaldo vs Park Ji-sung: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder / Forward, Brazil (born 1972, retired 2015) · Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014)
Rivaldo against Park Ji-sung is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Silverware is the currency of legacy, and both players filled cabinets that few can rival. Rivaldo finishes with 320 career goals from 889 games — a 0.36 strike rate — against Park Ji-sung's 60 from 550 at 0.11 per match. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Rivaldo is listed at 0 and Park Ji-sung at 60 where figures survive. Rivaldo departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2002); Park Ji-sung with 5, including 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011). Rivaldo built his medal haul through years of intelligent consistency, while Park Ji-sung won his with incisive bursts of brilliance. Their routes to the top were distinct: Rivaldo built his reputation across Palmeiras, Deportivo La Coruña, Barcelona, AC Milan, Olympiacos, others, peaking around 1999, while Park Ji-sung reached his defining level around 2008 after spells with Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
191 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Brazilian playmaker and 1999 Ballon d'Or winner; key member of Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning attack.
“A bow-legged left-footed conjuror whose tricks and bicycle kicks lit up grounds across continents.”
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
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2002)
- 1× Copa América (1999)
- 1× FIFA Confederations Cup (1997)
- 2× La Liga (1998, 1999)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2003)
- 3× Greek Super League (2005, 2006, 2007)
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1991 Santa Cruz debut before moves to Mogi Mirim and Corinthians
- 1996 Moved to Europe with Deportivo La Coruña
- 1997 Signed for Barcelona
- 1999 Ballon d'Or winner
- 2002 World Cup winner, scored a bicycle kick against Belgium
- 2003 Joined AC Milan and won the Champions League
- 2010 Finished his career with Uzbek side Bunyodkor
- 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
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Rivaldo takes it by a decisive margin.
Rivaldo edges it (a decisive margin)
