George Weah vs Landon Donovan: Stats Compared
Striker, Liberia (born 1966, retired 2003) · Forward, United States (born 1982, retired 2016)
George Weah against Landon Donovan is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Era matters in any comparison, and these two peaked under very different footballing conditions. By the end George Weah had 230 goals from 460 caps and club outings; Landon Donovan had 190 from 550. Add playmaking to the mix and George Weah laid on 60 goals, Landon Donovan 145. Trophy counts give George Weah 3 and Landon Donovan 9, with 2× Serie A (1996, 1999) and 6× MLS Cup (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014) the standout honours respectively. George Weah belonged to the 1990s, dominating with a ruthless quality; Landon Donovan rose in the modern era with a predatory edge. Context beyond the headline totals is important: George Weah's landmark level arrived around 1995 with a career spanning Tonnerre Yaoundé, Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City, Marseille, Al Jazira; Landon Donovan's came around 2010 across San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, Everton, LA Galaxy. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
172 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
The only African and Liberian ever to win the Ballon d'Or, Weah was a rare striker capable of running the length of the pitch to score, before later becoming Liberia's president.
“A powerful, quick target man with surprising close control, famous for driving solo runs the length of the field.”
The USA's all-time leading scorer for club and country until his retirement, Donovan was the face of American soccer through three World Cups, capped by his dramatic stoppage-time winner against Algeria in 2010.
“A quick, clever forward whose intelligent movement and clinical finishing made him the USA's most decorated attacking player.”
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
- 2× Serie A (1996, 1999)
- 1× Coupe de France (1991)
- 6× MLS Cup (2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014)
- 3× CONCACAF Gold Cup (2002, 2005, 2007)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1986 Professional debut for Tonnerre Yaoundé
- 1996 Won Serie A with AC Milan
- 1991 Won Coupe de France with Monaco
- 1995 Reached the peak of his powers at Paris Saint-Germain
- 2003 Retired after a final spell at Al Jazira
- Finished his career with 230 goals in 460 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 230 goals in 460 appearances and 3 major honours.
- 2001 Professional debut for San Jose Earthquakes
- 2001 Won MLS Cup with San Jose Earthquakes
- 2002 Won CONCACAF Gold Cup with San Jose Earthquakes
- 2010 Reached the peak of his powers at LA Galaxy
- 2016 Retired after a final spell at LA Galaxy
- Finished his career with 190 goals in 550 appearances and 9 major honours. Finished his career with 190 goals in 550 appearances and 9 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
