Wesley Sneijder vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Attacking Midfielder, Netherlands (born 1984, retired 2019) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
Wesley Sneijder versus Clint Dempsey is a clash of two unmistakable footballing identities. Strip away the highlights and the medal count tells its own story for each man. By the end Wesley Sneijder had 152 goals from 573 caps and club outings; Clint Dempsey had 180 from 550. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Wesley Sneijder is credited with 0 and Clint Dempsey with 90. The honours ledger favours Wesley Sneijder with 8 major trophies (1× UEFA Champions League (2010)) against Clint Dempsey's 2 (1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)). One lifted trophies through dictatorial reliability, the other through clinical moments that decided finals. The wider career context matters too: Wesley Sneijder peaked around 2010 after representing Ajax, Real Madrid, Inter, Galatasaray, while Clint Dempsey's defining level came around 2012 across New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
167 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Wesley Sneijder is a Dutch former professional footballer. Noted for his playmaking ability, he was considered one of the best midfielders in the world during his prime. A product of the Ajax Youth Academy, Sneijder started his professional career playing for Ajax, with whom he won four trophies and was awarded the Johan Cruyff Trophy in 2004.
“A sharp, two-footed creator who could unlock a defence or score from 25 yards.”
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
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2010)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2002 Established himself at Ajax
- 2006 Reached his defining peak
- 2010 Delivered a landmark season
- 2019 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
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Wesley Sneijder takes it by a decisive margin.
Wesley Sneijder edges it (a decisive margin)
