Nemanja Vidić vs Sol Campbell: Stats Compared
Centre-Back, Serbia (born 1981, retired 2016) · Centre-Back, England (born 1974, retired 2011)
Line up Nemanja Vidić next to Sol Campbell and the contrasts come quickly. It is in how they played, rather than what they won, that the comparison gets interesting. Nemanja Vidić finishes with 29 career goals from 518 games — a 0.06 strike rate — against Sol Campbell's 20 from 650 at 0.03 per match. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Nemanja Vidić is listed at 0 and Sol Campbell at 5 where figures survive. In major honours Nemanja Vidić collected 8 — headlined by 5× Premier League (2007–2013) — whereas Sol Campbell amassed 5, led by 2× Premier League (2002, 2004). Nemanja Vidić played with a uncompromising that made him unmistakable; Sol Campbell brought a rugged that was equally his own. Their routes to the top were distinct: Nemanja Vidić built his reputation across Red Star Belgrade, Spartak Moscow, Manchester United, Inter, peaking around 2009, while Sol Campbell reached his defining level around 2004 after spells with Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Notts County, Newcastle United, Arsenal. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
190 words · comparison angle: style
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.”
A commanding, athletic centre-back, Campbell was central to Arsenal's unbeaten 'Invincibles' 2003-04 title after a controversial free transfer from rivals Tottenham.
“A physically dominant, athletic centre-back whose pace and strength let him play an unusually high defensive line.”
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)
- 2× Premier League (2002, 2004)
- 3× FA Cup (2001, 2003, 2008)
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
- 1992 Professional debut for Tottenham Hotspur
- 2002 Won Premier League with Arsenal
- 2001 Won FA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur
- 2004 Reached the peak of his powers at Arsenal
- 2011 Retired after a final spell at Arsenal
- Finished his career with 20 goals in 650 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 20 goals in 650 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production, silverware and profile, the two finish within a whisker of each other. Call it a respectful draw — greatness of this calibre resists a single winner.
Too close to call — a respectful draw
