Nemanja Vidić vs David Luiz: Stats Compared
Centre-Back, Serbia (born 1981, retired 2016) · Centre-Back, Brazil (born 1987, retired 2023)
Ask any fan to rank Nemanja Vidić above or below David Luiz and you will get a passionate answer. Trophies, more than goals, are how most supporters ultimately remember a career. The raw numbers read 29 goals in 518 outings for Nemanja Vidić (0.06/game), versus 35 in 650 for David Luiz (0.05/game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Nemanja Vidić is listed at 0 and David Luiz at 25 where figures survive. Nemanja Vidić departs the game with 8 major pieces of silverware, including 5× Premier League (2007–2013); David Luiz with 6, including 1× UEFA Champions League (2012). One lifted trophies through resolute reliability, the other through commanding moments that decided finals. 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 David Luiz reached his defining level around 2013 after spells with Vitória, Benfica, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Arsenal, Flamengo. Whichever side you land on, both belong in any conversation about the finest of their generation.
183 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.”
An eccentric, unpredictable Brazilian centre-back famed for his wild hairstyles and thunderous free-kicks, David Luiz won trophies across three major European leagues.
“An unorthodox, high-risk centre-back who combined bold attacking instincts and a huge shot with occasionally erratic positioning.”
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)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2012)
- 2× UEFA Europa League (2013, 2019)
- 2× Premier League (2015, 2017)
- 1× FA Cup (2018)
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
- 2006 Professional debut for Vitória
- 2012 Won UEFA Champions League with Chelsea
- 2018 Won FA Cup with Chelsea
- 2013 Reached the peak of his powers at Chelsea
- 2023 Retired after a final spell at Flamengo
- Finished his career with 35 goals in 650 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 35 goals in 650 appearances and 6 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Nemanja Vidić takes it by a narrow margin.
Nemanja Vidić edges it (a narrow margin)
