Patrick Vieira vs Elías Figueroa: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, France (born 1976, retired 2011) · Centre-Back, Chile (born 1946, retired 1982)
Comparing Patrick Vieira with Elías Figueroa means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. On production alone, Patrick Vieira posted 68 goals across 737 appearances while Elías Figueroa managed 40 across 600. Assists were never formally recorded across most of their eras, so the playmaking dimension has to be judged on reputation and highlights rather than hard totals. The honours ledger favours Patrick Vieira with 15 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (1998)) against Elías Figueroa's 5 (2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968)). Across the turn of the millennium and the 1970s respectively, their dictatorial and rugged styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Patrick Vieira's landmark level arrived around 2004 with a career spanning Cannes, AC Milan, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter Milan, Manchester City; Elías Figueroa's came around 1974 across Santiago Wanderers, Peñarol, Internacional, Palestino, Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
172 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
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.”
A three-time South American Footballer of the Year, Figueroa is widely considered the finest defender the continent has produced, marshalling Internacional's dominant 1970s side.
“An imperious, elegant centre-back who combined aerial dominance with composed distribution well ahead of his era.”
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× 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)
- 2× Uruguayan Primera División (1967, 1968)
- 3× Campeonato Gaúcho (1973, 1974, 1975)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 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
- 1965 Professional debut for Santiago Wanderers
- 1967 Won Uruguayan Primera División with Peñarol
- 1973 Won Campeonato Gaúcho with Internacional
- 1974 Reached the peak of his powers at Internacional
- 1982 Retired after a final spell at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 40 goals in 600 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Patrick Vieira the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a weightier trophy cabinet.
Patrick Vieira edges it (a decisive margin)
