Gianluigi Buffon vs Hidetoshi Nakata: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Italy (born 1978, retired 2023) · Attacking Midfielder, Japan (born 1977, retired 2006)
Set Gianluigi Buffon alongside Hidetoshi Nakata and the numbers start an argument of their own. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. The raw numbers read 1 goals in 1147 outings for Gianluigi Buffon (0.00/game), versus 60 in 400 for Hidetoshi Nakata (0.15/game). Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Gianluigi Buffon is credited with 0 and Hidetoshi Nakata with 60. In major honours Gianluigi Buffon collected 15 — headlined by 1× FIFA World Cup (2006) — whereas Hidetoshi Nakata amassed 1, led by 1× Serie A (2001). Across the turn of the millennium and the turn of the millennium respectively, their brave and dictatorial styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Their routes to the top were distinct: Gianluigi Buffon built his reputation across Parma, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Parma, peaking around 2006, while Hidetoshi Nakata reached his defining level around 2001 after spells with Bellmare Hiratsuka, Perugia, Roma, Parma, Bologna, Fiorentina, Bolton Wanderers. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
190 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Italian goalkeeper and the most capped Italian player of all time; 2006 World Cup winner and ten-time Serie A champion.
“An authoritative, athletic keeper whose longevity made him the most-capped goalkeeper in history.”
The first Japanese footballer to become a global superstar, Nakata's move to Serie A in 1998 opened the door for a generation of Japanese players in Europe.
“A composed, technically excellent attacking midfielder blessed with an outstanding range of passing and shooting from distance.”
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 (2006)
- 10× Serie A
- 2× Coppa Italia
- 1× UEFA Cup (1999)
- 1× Ligue 1 (2019)
- 1× Serie A (2001)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1995 Parma debut
- 2001 World-record keeper transfer to Juventus
- 2003 Lost the Champions League final on penalties
- 2006 World Cup winner with Italy
- 2018 Joined Paris Saint-Germain
- 2019 Returned to Juventus
- 2023 Scored a career goal for Parma in Serie B
- 1995 Professional debut for Bellmare Hiratsuka
- 2001 Won Serie A with Roma
- 2001 Reached the peak of his powers at Roma
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Bolton Wanderers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 400 appearances and 1 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 400 appearances and 1 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Gianluigi Buffon takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Gianluigi Buffon edges it (a decisive margin)
