Xavi vs Park Ji-sung: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, Spain (born 1980, retired 2019) · Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014)
Set Xavi alongside Park Ji-sung and the numbers start an argument of their own. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. Xavi finishes with 113 career goals from 943 games — a 0.12 strike rate — against Park Ji-sung's 60 from 550 at 0.11 per match. Add playmaking to the mix and Xavi laid on 230 goals, Park Ji-sung 60. The honours ledger favours Xavi with 19 major trophies (1× FIFA World Cup (2010)) against Park Ji-sung's 5 (4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)). Across the modern era and the turn of the millennium respectively, their intelligent and creative styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Their routes to the top were distinct: Xavi built his reputation across Barcelona, Al Sadd, peaking around 2011, while Park Ji-sung reached his defining level around 2008 after spells with Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
169 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Spanish midfielder who defined the tiki-taka era at Barcelona and the Spain national team; 2010 World Cup winner and four-time Champions League winner.
“A metronomic passer whose spatial awareness and tireless distribution anchored tiki-taka.”
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 (2010)
- 2× UEFA European Championship (2008, 2012)
- 4× UEFA Champions League (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015)
- 8× La Liga
- 2× Copa del Rey
- 2× FIFA Club World Cup (2009, 2011)
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1998 Barcelona debut
- 2000 Champions League semi-final goal against Real Madrid
- 2008 Euro winner, named Player of the Tournament
- 2010 World Cup winner in South Africa
- 2011 Champions League winner at Wembley
- 2015 Treble winner in his final Barcelona season
- 2019 Retired at Al Sadd
- 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
If forced to pick, Xavi is the choice: a decisive margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Xavi edges it (a decisive margin)
