Roberto Carlos vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Left-Back, Brazil (born 1973, retired 2015) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
Roberto Carlos and Clint Dempsey represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Style separates them as much as statistics: two players, two unmistakable signatures. The raw numbers read 113 goals in 875 outings for Roberto Carlos (0.13/game), versus 180 in 550 for Clint Dempsey (0.33/game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Roberto Carlos is listed at 0 and Clint Dempsey at 90 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Roberto Carlos 9 and Clint Dempsey 2, with 3× UEFA Champions League (1998, 2000, 2002) and 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014) the standout honours respectively. Stylistically Roberto Carlos was commanding where Clint Dempsey was explosive — two vocabularies of the same sport. Club journeys add another layer, with Roberto Carlos reaching his representative peak around 2002 across Palmeiras, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Fenerbahçe and Clint Dempsey doing so around 2012 with New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
179 words · comparison angle: style
Player profiles
Roberto Carlos da Silva Rocha (born 10 April 1973), often known simply as Roberto Carlos, is a Brazilian former professional footballer. He has been described as one of the most attack-minded left-backs in football history and one of the greatest full-backs ever. He finished runner-up for the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1997 and for the Ballon d’Or in 2002.
“A rocket-footed full-back who combined recovery speed, overlapping runs and impossible free kicks.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
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× UEFA Champions League (1998, 2000, 2002)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1994 Established himself at Palmeiras
- 1998 Reached his defining peak
- 2002 Delivered a landmark season
- 2015 Retired from professional football
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Roberto Carlos edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Roberto Carlos edges it (a decisive margin)
