Edwin van der Sar vs Fernando Redondo: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Netherlands (born 1970, retired 2011) · Defensive Midfielder, Argentina (born 1969, retired 2004)
When Edwin van der Sar and Fernando Redondo are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Honours are what separate great players from trophy-laden legends, and both qualify. By the end Edwin van der Sar had 0 goals from 820 caps and club outings; Fernando Redondo had 30 from 450. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Edwin van der Sar is credited with 0 and Fernando Redondo with 60. Edwin van der Sar departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× UEFA Champions League (2008); Fernando Redondo with 5, including 2× La Liga (1995, 1997). Edwin van der Sar built his medal haul through years of commanding consistency, while Fernando Redondo won his with creative bursts of brilliance. Their routes to the top were distinct: Edwin van der Sar built his reputation across Ajax, Juventus, Fulham, Manchester United, peaking around 2008, while Fernando Redondo reached his defining level around 1998 after spells with Argentinos Juniors, Real Madrid, AC Milan. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
191 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Edwin van der Sar is a Dutch football executive and former player. Widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, he was most recently the chief executive of Eredivisie club Ajax. Van der Sar began his senior playing career with Ajax in the early 1990s; he is considered to be a member of the club's golden generation and was part of the team that won the UEFA Champions League in 1995.
“A tall, composed goalkeeper who made difficult saves look quiet and simple.”
A supremely elegant defensive midfielder famed for his flowing hair and a single backheel that became one of the sport's most replayed pieces of skill.
“An elegant, deep-lying playmaker who shielded the defence while dictating play with effortless long passing.”
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 (2008)
- 2× La Liga (1995, 1997)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1998, 2000)
- 1× Intercontinental Cup (1998)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2000 Established himself at Ajax
- 2004 Reached his defining peak
- 2008 Delivered a landmark season
- 2011 Retired from professional football
- 1987 Professional debut for Argentinos Juniors
- 1995 Won La Liga with Real Madrid
- 1998 Won Intercontinental Cup with Real Madrid
- 1998 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2004 Retired after a final spell at AC Milan
- Finished his career with 30 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 30 goals in 450 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Fernando Redondo takes it by a narrow margin.
Fernando Redondo edges it (a narrow margin)
