Sergio Agüero vs Juan Román Riquelme: Stats Compared
Striker, Argentina (born 1988, retired 2021) · Attacking Midfielder, Argentina (born 1978, retired 2015)
Few debates split football fans quite like Sergio Agüero versus Juan Román Riquelme. Honours are what separate great players from trophy-laden legends, and both qualify. By the end Sergio Agüero had 427 goals from 700 caps and club outings; Juan Román Riquelme had 130 from 550. In chance creation, Sergio Agüero tallied 110 assists to Juan Román Riquelme's 100. In major honours Sergio Agüero collected 10 — headlined by 5× Premier League (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021) — whereas Juan Román Riquelme amassed 8, led by 3× Copa Libertadores (2000, 2001, 2007). Sergio Agüero built his medal haul through years of flair-driven consistency, while Juan Román Riquelme won his with intelligent bursts of brilliance. Their routes to the top were distinct: Sergio Agüero built his reputation across Independiente, Atlético Madrid, Manchester City, Barcelona, peaking around 2014, while Juan Román Riquelme reached his defining level around 2007 after spells with Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Villarreal, Boca Juniors. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
167 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
A clinical, ice-cool Argentine striker who scored Manchester City's most dramatic title-winning goal and became the club's all-time top scorer.
“A low, powerful, instinctive finisher with explosive acceleration in the box and a knack for the biggest moments.”
An unhurried, languid Argentine No.10 whose vision and close control made him the last great exponent of the classic South American enganche playmaker.
“A slow-paced but supremely elegant playmaker who dictated tempo with pinpoint passing and a low centre of gravity.”
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 (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021)
- 1× UEFA Europa League (2010)
- 4× League Cup (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020)
- 3× Copa Libertadores (2000, 2001, 2007)
- 2× Intercontinental Cup (2000, 2003)
- 3× Argentine Primera División (1998, 1999, 2000)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 2003 Professional debut for Independiente
- 2012 Won Premier League with Manchester City
- 2014 Won League Cup with Manchester City
- 2014 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester City
- 2021 Retired after a final spell at Barcelona
- Finished his career with 427 goals in 700 appearances and 10 major honours. Finished his career with 427 goals in 700 appearances and 10 major honours.
- 1996 Professional debut for Boca Juniors
- 2000 Won Copa Libertadores with Boca Juniors
- 1998 Won Argentine Primera División with Boca Juniors
- 2007 Reached the peak of his powers at Villarreal
- 2015 Retired after a final spell at Boca Juniors
- Finished his career with 130 goals in 550 appearances and 8 major honours. Finished his career with 130 goals in 550 appearances and 8 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Sergio Agüero is the choice: a decisive margin, with a sharper goalscoring record the deciding factor.
Sergio Agüero edges it (a decisive margin)
