Nemanja Vidić vs Franco Baresi: Stats Compared
Centre-Back, Serbia (born 1981, retired 2016) · Sweeper / Centre-Back, Italy (born 1960, retired 1997)
Comparing Nemanja Vidić with Franco Baresi means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Trophies, more than goals, are how most supporters ultimately remember a career. Across his senior career Nemanja Vidić notched 29 goals in 518 appearances (0.06 per game), while Franco Baresi recorded 19 in 800 (0.02 per game). Reliable assist tallies simply do not exist for large stretches of their careers, leaving creativity to the eye rather than the spreadsheet. Trophy counts give Nemanja Vidić 8 and Franco Baresi 18, with 5× Premier League (2007–2013) and 3× European Cup (1989, 1990, 1994) the standout honours respectively. One lifted trophies through commanding reliability, the other through uncompromising moments that decided finals. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Nemanja Vidić's landmark level arrived around 2009 with a career spanning Red Star Belgrade, Spartak Moscow, Manchester United, Inter; Franco Baresi's came around 1989 across AC Milan. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
162 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
Nemanja Vidić is a Serbian former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Widely considered as one of the greatest defenders of all time, Vidić is best known for his time at Manchester United, where he won 15 trophies and served as club captain. He is one of only five players to win the Premier League Player of the Season award twice, alongside Thierry Henry, Kevin De Bruyne, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah.
“A fearless centre-back who dominated the air and treated every duel as a personal contest.”
AC Milan icon who spent his entire 20-year career at the club; three-time European Cup winner and 1994 World Cup finalist with Italy.
“A peerless sweeper whose reading, tackling and leadership built a defensive dynasty at Milan.”
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
- 5× Premier League (2007–2013)
- 3× European Cup (1989, 1990, 1994)
- 6× Serie A (1979, 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996)
- 4× Supercoppa Italiana
- 3× UEFA Super Cup
- 2× Intercontinental Cup (1989, 1990)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2001 Established himself at Red Star Belgrade
- 2005 Reached his defining peak
- 2009 Delivered a landmark season
- 2016 Retired from professional football
- 1977 AC Milan debut aged 17
- 1979 First Scudetto with Milan
- 1980 Stayed at Milan in Serie B after the betting scandal
- 1989 First European Cup with Milan
- 1994 Won the Champions League conceding just 15 goals in 30 league games
- 1997 Retired aged 37 with the number 6 shirt retired in his honour
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Franco Baresi takes it by a decisive margin.
Franco Baresi edges it (a decisive margin)
