Nemanja Vidić vs Hidetoshi Nakata: Stats Compared
Centre-Back, Serbia (born 1981, retired 2016) · Attacking Midfielder, Japan (born 1977, retired 2006)
Nemanja Vidić and Hidetoshi Nakata represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? 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 Hidetoshi Nakata recorded 60 in 400 (0.15 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Nemanja Vidić is listed at 0 and Hidetoshi Nakata at 60 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Nemanja Vidić 8 and Hidetoshi Nakata 1, with 5× Premier League (2007–2013) and 1× Serie A (2001) the standout honours respectively. One lifted trophies through anticipatory reliability, the other through silky 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 Hidetoshi Nakata reached his defining level around 2001 after spells with Bellmare Hiratsuka, Perugia, Roma, Parma, Bologna, Fiorentina, Bolton Wanderers. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
182 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.”
The first Japanese footballer to become a global superstar, Nakata's move to Serie A in 1998 opened the door for a generation of Japanese players in Europe.
“A composed, technically excellent attacking midfielder blessed with an outstanding range of passing and shooting from distance.”
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× Serie A (2001)
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
- 1995 Professional debut for Bellmare Hiratsuka
- 2001 Won Serie A with Roma
- 2001 Reached the peak of his powers at Roma
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Bolton Wanderers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 400 appearances and 1 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 400 appearances and 1 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Nemanja Vidić takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Nemanja Vidić edges it (a decisive margin)
