Edwin van der Sar vs Patrick Vieira: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Netherlands (born 1970, retired 2011) · Central Midfielder, France (born 1976, retired 2011)
Edwin van der Sar against Patrick Vieira is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Comparing across positions is never straightforward, and these two asked different questions of opponents. On production alone, Edwin van der Sar posted 0 goals across 820 appearances while Patrick Vieira managed 68 across 737. Because assists were not systematically tracked for much of their time, that side of the comparison rests on the footage that survives. Edwin van der Sar departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× UEFA Champions League (2008); Patrick Vieira with 15, including 1× FIFA World Cup (1998). The goalkeeper duties of Edwin van der Sar leaned sweeper-keen; the central midfielder responsibilities of Patrick Vieira leaned incisive. Their routes to the top were distinct: Edwin van der Sar built his reputation across Ajax, Juventus, Fulham, Manchester United, peaking around 2008, while Patrick Vieira reached his defining level around 2004 after spells with Cannes, AC Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milan, Manchester City. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
181 words · comparison angle: role
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.”
Arsenal captain who led the Invincibles to the 2003-04 Premier League title; World Cup and Euro winner with France.
“A towering, leggy box-to-box enforcer who combined physicality with technical security in midfield.”
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)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (1998)
- 1× UEFA European Championship (2000)
- 2× FIFA Confederations Cup (2001, 2003)
- 3× Premier League (1998, 2002, 2004)
- 4× Serie A (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
- 4× FA Cup (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2000 Established himself at Ajax
- 2004 Reached his defining peak
- 2008 Delivered a landmark season
- 2011 Retired from professional football
- 1994 Cannes debut
- 1996 Joined AC Milan for limited game time
- 1996 Signed for Arsenal
- 1998 World Cup winner with France
- 2001 Succeeded Tony Adams as Arsenal captain
- 2005 Left Arsenal for Juventus
- 2011 Retired at Manchester City
The verdict
The numbers give Patrick Vieira the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Patrick Vieira edges it (a decisive margin)
