Patrick Vieira vs Park Ji-sung: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, France (born 1976, retired 2011) · Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014)
Patrick Vieira against Park Ji-sung is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Strikers are judged on goals, and on that raw currency both men delivered extraordinary returns. On production alone, Patrick Vieira posted 68 goals across 737 appearances while Park Ji-sung managed 60 across 550. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Patrick Vieira is credited with 0 and Park Ji-sung with 60. The honours ledger favours Patrick Vieira with 15 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (1998)) against Park Ji-sung's 5 (4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)). Where Patrick Vieira was a incisive presence in the box, Park Ji-sung offered a incisive approach to goalscoring. 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; Park Ji-sung's came around 2008 across Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
183 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
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.”
The first Asian player to win the Champions League and reach a World Cup semi-final, Park was renowned for his tireless work rate and big-game performances for Manchester United.
“A relentless, selfless box-to-box midfielder whose stamina and tactical discipline made him invaluable in the biggest matches.”
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)
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
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
- 2000 Professional debut for Kyoto Purple Sanga
- 2007 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 2008 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 2008 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Queens Park Rangers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Patrick Vieira edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Patrick Vieira edges it (a decisive margin)
